Brewer's Blackbird -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 9-10 inches | Wingspan: 14-16 inches | Seasonality: Summer/Migrant |
| ID Keys: Glossy black with whitish eyes (male), shorter tail than Common Grackle | ||
Brewer's
Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
The Brewer's Blackbird is a common sight in the open country of the western U.S., although it has also expanded its range into the Great Lakes area. As with the Common Grackle, they have become accustomed to a human presence, and are a common sight in residential areas.
Habitat: Can be found in a variety of open to semi-open habitats, including shrubby fields, riparian areas, farmland, shrubby grasslands, and woodland edges.
Diet: Feeds on a wide variety of insects and spiders, as well as consuming a large amount of seeds and waste grain. Will also feed on snails and small crustaceans.
Nesting: June and July
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: A short rough buzzy z-kzzzzzz.
Migrations: Summers throughout much of the western U.S., western Canada, and the Great Lakes area. Winters in the southern half of the U.S. and southward.
Similar Species: Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird
Status: Generally stable and widespread. Has expanded its range since historic times to include the Great Lakes region.
Further Information: 1) USGS
Patuxent
Bird Identification InfoCenter, Brewer's Blackbird
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Brewer's Blackbird"
3) eNature.com: Brewer's Blackbird
Photo Information: April 19th, 2007 - Point Reyes National Seashore, California - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the photo chips below for additional higher-resolution images of this species.
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08