Photo: Mike Morel/U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
Agelaius xanthomus
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) is a member of the Icteridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 38.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Icteridae Oropendolas, New World Orioles, Blackbirds
- Genus Agelaius
- Species xanthomus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 38.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Icteridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) belongs to the Icteridae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA Puerto Rico.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 38.4 g, with a wing length of about 10.1 cm and a tail of around 8.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 262 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is a small bird that weighs around 38.4 g.
Where does the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird live?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is found across North America with a range covering NA Puerto Rico, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird belong to?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) belongs to the Icteridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird eat?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird migrate?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird make?
1 real field recording of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird's range?
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird has a mapped global range of about 262 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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