Brewer's Blackbird

Overview

Brewer's Blackbird is a common and adaptable species found in a wide range of open habitats, from agricultural fields to parking lots and urban parks. Males show striking iridescent plumage, while females are notably plainer, and the species is closely related to the Rusty Blackbird.

• Highly adaptable, thriving in urban, suburban, and agricultural settings
• Male plumage shows strong purple and green iridescence in good light
• Range has expanded eastward in recent decades

Feather Identification

Brewer's Blackbird feathers show strong sexual differences.

• Body feathers (male): Glossy black with iridescent purple sheen on the head and green sheen on the body, visible in good light
• Body feathers (female): Plain grayish-brown, without iridescence
• Eye: Pale yellow to whitish iris in adults, contrasting with dark feathering
• Tail feathers: Plain, glossy black in males, duller brownish in females
• The combination of purple head iridescence and green body iridescence helps distinguish male Brewer's Blackbird feathers from similar blackbird species

Plumage, Sex & Age Differences

Adult males are glossy black with purple iridescence on the head and greenish iridescence on the body. Females are plain grayish-brown throughout, lacking iridescence, with a dark rather than pale eye in some individuals. Juveniles resemble females. A complete molt occurs after the breeding season.

Habitat & Range

Brewer's Blackbird is found across a broad range of open habitats, including agricultural fields, grasslands, parks, and urban areas, primarily in the western two-thirds of North America. Many populations are migratory, particularly in the north, while others, especially in milder climates, are resident or short-distance migrants.

Behavior, Voice & Field Notes

Brewer's Blackbirds forage on open ground, often walking rather than hopping, taking insects, seeds, and food scraps in habitats ranging from farm fields to parking lots. Their call is a harsh 'check,' and their song is a short, creaky, wheezy phrase. They often form large foraging flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other blackbird species.