Tricoloured blackbird  (Agelaius tricolor)

Description

Despite forming the largest breeding colonies of any North American landbird, the tricoloured blackbird’s numbers are rapidly declining (3). The common name of this species derives from the male’s plumage, which is almost entirely black, except for patches on the upper wing, near the shoulders, which are bright scarlet with a band of white below. By contrast, the female has predominantly dark brown plumage, which is paler around the throat, and streaked dark grey and brown on the underparts (2) (4). Both sexes possess long, pointed bills and narrow, pointed wings. Juveniles resemble the female adult, although their colouring is paler (4). The tricoloured blackbird produces a range of vocalisations including the male’s drawn-out guuuaaaak call, a chwuk alarm call and a churr flight call (2). The male also makes a curious mewing call during the early part of the breeding season (4).

left