Black Bird Identification

Blackbirds refer to about 10 different North American species that belong to the sub-family Icterinae. Included in this sub-family of Icterinae are the Orioles, Meadowlarks and the Bobolinks. The different species of blackbirds have some traits in common. The males are mainly black or iridescent in color. All blackbirds have a diet in common that consists of weeds, seeds, fruits and insects.  

Red-Winged Blackbirds

The male red-winged blackbird is a little bit smaller than a robin. It is black with patches on its shoulder that are red and yellow. The female is smaller and is a brownish color, which resembles a sparrow. The red-winged blackbird lives mostly in North America and nests in hay fields, marshes and ditches. The large flocks feed in fields. They fly south for the winter.

Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is larger than a robin and has a long keel-shaped tail. The male is slightly larger than the female and has more iridescence on his head and throat. This bird is also from North America and commonly found east of the Rockies. It nests in marshes, farmyards and towns. Flocks mainly feed in hay fields, lawns, woodlots and bottomlands. They fly south in the winter.

Great-Tailed Grackle

This type of blackbird is somewhat like the common grackle but its tail is bigger. The male is a little bit smaller than a crow and the female is a little bit smaller and darker than the male. The great tailed grackle commonly lives in coastal and southern Texas. It nests in colonies in trees or shrubs. It sometimes nests with other birds such as the herons and egrets. It feeds on insects, water organisms, other nesting birds eggs, fruits and grains. This blackbird usually eats around pastures, parks and farms.