Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

Habits as above. Plumage is glossy black, with brassy reflections. They are abundant in southern Texas, and in Mexico (not illustrated).

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.

497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. 10 inches.

A large and handsome bird, with bright yellow head and breast; body black, with a white patch on the wing. They are a western bird, being found from the central United States to California. They breed abundantly in suitable marshes throughout their range. Their nests are made of strips of rushes, interwoven and fastened to the upright rushes only a few inches above the water. The four to six grayish white eggs are spotted with shades of brown and gray (1.00 × .70).

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

498. Agelaius phœniceus. 9 inches.

An eastern bird, found as far west as the eastern part of the Rockies. Very common in many parts of the east, where it builds much the same as does the previous, laying four or five eggs, bluish white, spotted, blotched and scratched with shades of brown (1.00 × .70).

SONORA RED-WING BLACKBIRD.

498a. Agelaius phœniceus sonoriensis. 9 inches.