#icteridae

[spinus-pinus]

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

3/15/2024 Orange County, California

[herpsandbirds]

Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii), parents and chicks, family Icteridae, Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, Laredo, TX, USA

photographs by Rosie Ochoa

[bird-palettes]

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus (adult male)

[iridescent-wildlife]

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). Family Icteridae, order Passeriformes.

I'm not sure if they're practicing their courtship displays, or if they're gay. But either way, happy Pride month!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Arkansas, USA. May 2026.

[shithowdy]

every time i visit the yellow-headed blackbirds at this marsh i am treated to something special. this time i watched a pair perform a circular, bobbing courtship dance in which the female remained bowed and facing the male as he quietly dipped and jumped a circle around her. this is not at all typical of them-- their typical courting involves the male perching himself conspicuously on a reed/branch/post and fanning his wings whilst screeching loudly. between this and the unique songs i have recorded at this marsh, i am beginning to wonder if these birds don't have their own regional "cultures". i look forward to observing them more.

[bird-palettes]

Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater (male adult)

[herpsandbirds]

Let's Rename the Birds!!! (pt. 11)

As you may already know... ornithological authorities (such as the AOS and ABA) in North America have decided, for a variety of reasons, to rename all of the birds that have been named after people.

Some examples: Lewis's Woodpecker, Smith's Longspur, MacGillivray's Warbler...

I thought it would be fun for us to come up with some ideas for new common names here on Tumblr.

Here are some criteria for re-naming that might appeal to ornithologists and birdwatchers:

Habitat and geographical range

Physical characteristics

Call/song characteristics

Behavior

PLEASE MAKE YOUR NAMING SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS, REBLOG, OR TAGS.

We'll take the best ideas, and put them in a poll by the end of the week! (I and an esteemed panel of ornithological tumblererrsssres will make the decisions).

WEEK 11 - Bullock's Oriole

Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii), males, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes

Breeds/nests in the western US, far SW Canada, and far NW Mexico

Overwinters in Mexico and northern Central America.

Usually found in open deciduous forests, especially along habitat edges. Found often in riparian woodlands (along river edges).

This species and the Baltimore oriole were considered to be a single species, the northern oriole, which was re-split into 2 species in 1995.

Feed on insects, berries, other fruits, and nectar.

Sexually dimorphic.

Seasonally monogamous, males and females care for the chicks.

Nest is constructed of woven plant fibers, looking somewhat like a round hanging basket.

Listen to the calls/songs here: Bullock's Oriole Sounds, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

photographs by Mick Thompson & Kevin Cole 

photograph via: USFWS

Female - photograph by Janey Woodley

Nests, California - photograph by Eugene Zelenko

[herpsandbirds]

Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus), 2 males having an intense discussion, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Mesa, AZ, USA

photograph by Dave Lehneman