Brewer's blackbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brewer's blackbird |
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| male | |
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| female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euphagus
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| Species: |
cyanocephalus
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| Range of E. cyanocephalus Breeding range Year-round range Wintering range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Euphagus affinis (Shufeldt, 1892) |
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The Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is a medium-sized bird found in North America. It's a type of New World blackbird, which means it's related to other blackbirds found in the Americas. This bird was named after a scientist named Thomas Mayo Brewer.
Contents
What Does a Brewer's Blackbird Look Like?
Male and Female Birds
Adult male Brewer's blackbirds have shiny black feathers. Their head and neck look purple and shimmery, like a rainbow. The rest of their body has a glossy bluish-green shine. Their legs and feet are black, and their eyes are a bright yellow.
Female Brewer's blackbirds look a bit different. They are mostly brownish-grey. They might have a tiny hint of the male's shiny colors. A female's eye is dark brown, not bright yellow like the male's.
How to Tell Them Apart from Other Birds
Brewer's blackbirds look a bit like the rusty blackbird, which lives in the eastern parts of North America. However, the Brewer's blackbird has a shorter beak. Also, the male Brewer's blackbird has that special shiny purple head.
Sometimes, people confuse this bird with the common grackle. But the Brewer's blackbird has a shorter tail. Their call is also different; it's a sharp "check." It's important to know that this bird is not related to the Eurasian blackbird found in Europe and Asia.
Where Do Brewer's Blackbirds Live?
Their Favorite Places
Brewer's blackbirds like to live in open areas or places that are partly open. They often choose spots near water. You can find them across central and western North America.
They build their nests in different places. Some nests are in trees, while others are in tall grass or on cliffs. These birds often nest together in large groups called colonies. They are also very good at living near people. You might even see them in parking lots!
Where They Travel
Many Brewer's blackbirds in the western parts of North America stay in the same place all year. They are called "permanent residents." Other birds migrate, meaning they fly to warmer places for winter. These birds might travel to the southeastern United States or Mexico. This bird's home range has been growing eastward, especially around the Great Lakes.
What Do Brewer's Blackbirds Eat?
Finding Food
Brewer's blackbirds look for food in shallow water or in open fields. They mostly eat seeds and insects. Sometimes they also eat berries. They are quite good at catching insects while flying!
Outside of the breeding season, these birds often eat together in large groups called flocks. Sometimes, they even join other types of blackbirds to find food.
Are Brewer's Blackbirds Protected?
Bird Protection Laws
Yes, the Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is a protected bird in the USA. It is protected under a law called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law helps protect many bird species that fly across borders.
However, there are some special situations where people might be allowed to control these birds. This can happen if the birds are causing problems for farms, crops, or animals. It can also happen if too many birds gather in one place and become a health concern or a nuisance.
Gallery
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E. cyanocephalus male.
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E. cyanocephalus female.
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The iridescent purple head of the male is a distinguishing feature.
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Male, Nevada, US
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Male, Oregon, US
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Female calling
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- BirdLife species factsheet for Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Audio recordings of Brewer's blackbird on Xeno-canto.
See also
In Spanish: Turpial ojiclaro para niños
