BIRD OF THE MONTH

May: Brewer’s Blackbird

by Janine Schutt

Brewer’s Blackbird

A striking, yet underrated bird is the Brewer’s blackbird.  While its lifestyle may not have much wow factor, its iridescent feathers shine in direct light with surprising beauty.  Here are some fascinating facts about the Brewer’s blackbird:

• Year-round in the West and migratory in the plains states and Midwest.  Range extends from southern Canada to southern Mexico. 

• Locally, it is most often seen at the north end of Kitsap County from spring to fall.

• The eastern portion of its range overlaps with the range of the similar common grackle.  In such areas, the Brewer’s blackbird inhabits grasslands and fields, leaving neighborhood and suburban habitat to the common grackle.

• The male appears to be all black, the female appears to be all brown.  Direct light reveals stunning iridescent shades of metallic green and dark blue on the male, which are more subtle on the female.

• The male has piercing yellow eyes, the female has dark eyes.

• Agriculture has expanded its range and preferred habitat.

• Despite adjusting well to human altered landscapes, it is considered a common species in steep decline, largely due to misguided perceived threats to agriculture which have resulted in unnecessary poisoning, trapping and shooting.

• Forages on the ground for grain seeds, insects, and berries.      

• Eats numerous insects in summer, including many pests, making it more of a friend to agriculture than an enemy.

• Joins with other blackbird species, cowbirds, and starlings in the non-breeding season, forming flocks with hundreds of individual birds.

• Males act as sentinels, sending out alarm calls and attacking predators, such as raptors, that threaten the flock. 

• Monogamous pairs nest in colonies of anywhere from a few to 100 pairs.  Cup nests of plant material are built in trees or shrubs.

• Eggs are a variety of colors and speckle patterns, perhaps for camouflage.

• Usually raises two broods of 4-6 eggs per year.