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Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
The yellow-headed blackbird is a medium-sized blackbird, and the only member of the genus Xanthocephalus. Adults have a pointed bill. The adult male is mainly black with a yellow head and breast; they have a white wing patch sometimes only visible in flight. The adult female is mainly brown with a dull yellow throat and breast.
The breeding habitat of the yellow-headed blackbird is cattail (Typhaspecies) marshes in North America, mainly west of the Great Lakes. The nest is built with and attached to marsh vegetation. They nest in colonies, often sharing their habitat closely with the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). During the breeding and nesting season the males are very territorial and spend much of their time perched on reed stalks and displaying or chasing off intruders.
Spotted this flock foraging in a freshly cut field.
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