Amblyramphus holosericeus
The Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) is an unmistakable and strikingly beautiful Icterid, renowned for its brilliant scarlet head, neck, and breast, contrasting sharply with its glossy black body. Measuring approximately 30-36 cm (12-14 in) in length and weighing between 100-140 g (3.5-4.9 oz), this species is easily identified by its unique bicolored plumage and often conspicuous perching habits. It belongs to the family Icteridae, which includes New World blackbirds, ori...
This species is a specialist of permanent freshwater marshes, reedbeds, and tall aquatic vegetation, thriving in low-lying swamps and wetlands across its South American range.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects (e.g., dragonflies, beetles, larvae), supplemented with some seeds and occasional fruit, foraging by gleaning and probing.
The Scarlet-headed Blackbird is diurnal, often seen foraging actively during the day and roosting communally in dense reedbeds at night. Its foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects from aquatic vegetation, probing the mud for invertebrates, and occasionally hawking flying insects. D...
The Scarlet-headed Blackbird is widely distributed across the lowlands of central and eastern South America. Its primary range extends through southeastern Peru, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil (from São Paulo south), Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. This distribution is largely ce...
Least Concern
- It is the sole member of its genus, Amblyramphus, making it a monotypic species within the Icteridae family. - Its dazzling scarlet and glossy black plumage is considered one of the most striking color combinations among all New World blackbirds. - Despite its common name, it is more closely re...