Agelaius tricolor
The Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) is a striking New World blackbird, renowned for its highly colonial breeding habits, forming the largest breeding aggregations of any North American landbird. Adult males are glossy black with a distinctive, bright red shoulder patch bordered by a narrow white band, a key field mark. They measure about 21-24 cm (8.3-9.4 in) in length, have a wingspan of 33-39 cm (13-15 in), and weigh 70-80 g (2.5-2.8 oz). Females are noticeably smaller, 50-60 g (1....
Primarily inhabits freshwater wetlands, especially those dominated by cattails or bulrushes, and adjacent grasslands or agricultural fields, typically at low elevations.
Primarily feeds on insects, especially during the breeding season, including grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. Also consumes seeds and grains, particularly during non-breeding months, foraging mostly on the ground.
Tricolored Blackbirds are highly gregarious and diurnal, forming immense flocks outside the breeding season and nesting in colonies that can number in the tens of thousands. Foraging is often done communally on the ground in open fields, gleaning insects and seeds. During the breeding season, mal...
The Tricolored Blackbird is largely endemic to California, where its breeding range is concentrated in the Central Valley, southern coastal valleys, and foothills, with smaller, disjunct populations found in southern Oregon, especially around Klamath Falls, and northern Baja California, Mexico. H...
Endangered
- Tricolored Blackbirds historically formed the largest breeding colonies of any landbird in North America, with single colonies sometimes exceeding 100,000 nests. - Their synchronized breeding strategy allows entire colonies to fledge young simultaneously, likely a defense against predation and ...