Agelasticus xanthophthalmus
The Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus) is a striking, medium-sized passerine, immediately recognizable by its eponymous pale, yellowish-white to straw-yellow eyes set against an otherwise entirely glossy black plumage. This monochromatic presentation, coupled with its distinctive ocular hue, makes it stand out among the various black-feathered icterids of its South American range. Typically measuring around 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing 30-40 grams, both sexes ex...
Found primarily in marshy grasslands, wet savannas, reedbeds, and other wetland environments, often in close proximity to water bodies. Inhabits lowlands to moderate elevations, rarely exceeding 1,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming various arthropods like beetles, grasshoppers, and larvae, supplemented with seeds and some plant material.
Pale-eyed Blackbirds are generally diurnal, often observed foraging actively during daylight hours, typically in small to medium-sized flocks outside the breeding season. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning insects and seeds from the ground, low vegetation, and reeds, often wading in shallo...
The Pale-eyed Blackbird has a relatively restricted distribution across south-central Bolivia, the extreme southwestern portion of Brazil, and northern and eastern Paraguay. It is most frequently encountered within the vast wetlands of the Pantanal region, a globally significant biodiverse area s...
Least Concern
- Its most defining feature, the pale yellow eye, is exceptionally striking against its dark plumage, making it a favorite identification challenge for birders. - Unlike many Icterids, the Pale-eyed Blackbird exhibits virtually no sexual dimorphism; males and females look identical. - It shares i...