YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
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Identification
A robin-sized bird, the male has a striking appearance with his black body, conspicuous yellow head and breast, and a white wing patch in flight. The female is smaller and browner, with a yellowish throat and breast.
Range and Habitat
Yellowheads are locally abundant nesters in deep-water marshes of the northern Great Plains and western North America. They feed in agricultural fields, meadows, and pastures during late summer and fall, sometimes in association with redwings or other blackbirds. They winter farther south than other blackbirds, primarily in Mexico.
Food Habits and General Biology
The diet is similar to that of redwings; yellowheads eat primarily insects during the nesting season and grains and weed seeds at other times. An early
migrant, the yellowhead leaves the northern plains by September. Survival and reproductive rates are similar to those of redwings.
Damage to Crops
Yellowheads cause localized but generally minor damage to ripening corn, sunflower and oats, often in association with redwings. They often leave the northern prairie regions by the time corn and sunflower are ripening in autumn.
Learn More About:
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
COMMON GRACKLE
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD
RUSTY BLACKBIRD
Economics of Damage and Control
Please read more about us and our bird removal services . You can also learn about Cowleys history and understand why to choose Cowleys for bird exclusion. You can read about what physical or visual bird deterrents are used and what to do if nuisance birds are taking over your business.
business and home owners.
