Tawny-shouldered blackbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tawny-shouldered blackbird |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Agelaius
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| Species: |
humeralis
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| Subspecies | |
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Agelaius humeralis humeralis |
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| Range of A. humeralis (note: map is missing distribution in the Dominican Republic) | |
The tawny-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius humeralis) is a cool bird with a special brown-orange patch on its shoulders. It belongs to the Icteridae bird family. This bird lives mainly in Cuba and a Caribbean island called Hispaniola. This island is shared by two countries: the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Sometimes, this bird even flies all the way to the Florida Keys in the United States, but it doesn't usually stay there.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
This bird is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. That's about the length of a standard pencil. It is mostly black all over. But if you look closely, you'll see a bright brown-orange patch on its shoulders. This patch is where the bird gets its name. Sometimes, when the bird's wings are folded, you might not see this colorful patch. These birds like to live in groups.
Types of Tawny-Shouldered Blackbirds
Scientists have found two main types, or subspecies, of the tawny-shouldered blackbird:
- A. h. humeralis: This is the most common type. It lives in Cuba and Hispaniola.
- A. h. scopulus: This type was found later, in 1970. It lives on a small island called Cayo Cantiles, which is off the coast of Cuba.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Tawny-shouldered blackbirds lay their eggs from April to August. They build a nest that looks like a cup. They line it with soft materials to make it cozy. These nests are usually placed in a tree. The female bird lays about 3 to 4 eggs. The eggs are greenish-white and have small brown spots on them.
What Do They Eat and Where Do They Live?
Tawny-shouldered blackbirds eat many different things. Their diet includes:
- Insects
- Seeds
- Nectar (sweet liquid from flowers)
- Fruit
- Small lizards
These birds like to live in certain places. Their natural habitats include:
- Dry shrubland (areas with many small bushes)
- Pastureland (fields where animals graze)
- Forests that have been changed a lot by people
See also
In Spanish: Mayito para niños
