Black Birds

A Red-winged Blackbird sits on a cattail

Michael Herrera

Red-winged Blackbird

This aptly named bird is one of the most common in the gardens. Commonly seen in wetlands all across the country they are easily identified by their red shoulder patches in the males while females are a dull brown. They are extremely vocal, and you may hear their shrill vocalizations before you see them!

 

Common Grackle sits atop some Pickerelweed

Julia Gross

Common Grackle

This black bird has especially iridescent feathers on its head and will flock in extremely high numbers, and will flock in the thousands, in some cases millions!

 

European Starling rests on a stump

NPS

European Starling

Appearing somewhat similar to the common grackle, they are distinct from them in the fact that they are smaller with shorter tails and a yellow beak along with being covered in their spot like white streaks. This invasive species Native to Eurasia and North Africa poses a threat to Native biodiversity.

 

Baltimore Oriole Perched on a snag

Julia Gross

Baltimore Oriole

This strikingly colorful bird will sometimes use their bills for something called “gaping” where they stab their bill into a fruit and open their mouth to create a cut from which they can drink from.

 

Orchard Oriole calls out

Julia Gross

Orchard Oriole

Slightly smaller than their Baltimore Oriole counterparts, they also tend to have a slightly darker plumage! Despite this their colors change over their lifetime very similarly to the Baltimore Oriole.

 

Brown-headed Cowbird on the ground

Evan Clark

Brown-headed Cowbird

This bird has an unusual way of raising its young, it doesn’t! They do not nest or raise chicks but instead lay their eggs in the nest of other birds and leave the rearing to said host bird. Sometimes at the expense of the host bird’s eggs!

 

Rusty Blackbird appears to stare down camera

Michael Herrera

Rusty Blackbird

Adults can be identified by their pointed bill and pale-yellow eyes. The “rusty” in their name refers to their brownish winter plumage that develops in the cold seasons. They are shy birds and because of this despite being migratory little is known about their migration patterns.

 

Eastern Meadowlark found in a nearby park

Evan Clark

Eastern Meadowlark

This striking bird can be easily identified by their bright yellow breast and black V-shape markings on their chest. Despite the Eastern and Western Meadowlark’s relation, their songs are so different they often do not properly communicate the bounds territory. Making them more likely to fight.