Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus, Male. Photograph taken in Benito Juárez, Mexico D.F., December 2017. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus, Female. Photograph taken in Benito Juárez, Mexico D.F., December 2017. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Background and Identification

The Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus, is a member of the Icteriidae family of Troupials and Allies that includes Grackles, New World Blackbirds, and Orioles. Ornithologists have been using this species to study range expansions of birds following human settlements for over a century. These range studies work so well on Brewer’s because they frequently inhabit and nest in farmstead and suburban settings. In the early 20th century, Brewer’s received a couple other names from the scientists and farmers that were studying them, “Satin Bird” and “Glossy Blackbird”. While these nicknames are not usually used today, they describe the appearance very well, mainly the characteristic of a male Brewer’s in the sunlight. In Mexico, the Brewer’s Blackbird is known as Tordo de Brewer.

The Brewer’s Blackbird is a sexually dimorphic species, males and females look drastically different. Adult males are easily recognizable by their iridescent black feathers, which display hues of blue, green, and purple in the sunlight, and their striking yellow eyes. Females, on the other hand, have a more subdued appearance with brownish-gray plumage and dark eyes. Both sexes have a slender, pointed bill and measure about 20 cm (7.9 inches) to 25 cm (9.8 inches) in length with a wingspan of 36 cm (14 inches) to 41 cm (16 inches). This species is usually seen in flocks, especially during migrations and when in their wintering habitat. They have a diverse number of vocal calls, including whistles, clicks, and trills. All of these are used for communication within flocks.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Brewer’s Blackbirds are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, grasslands, agricultural fields, and urban areas. They are often seen foraging on the ground in open spaces such as lawns, parks, and roadsides.

Brewer’s geographical range spans much of North America. During the breeding season, they are commonly found in the western and central United States, as well as southern parts of Canada. They migrate southward for the winter, with wintering grounds extending from the southern United States to Mexico. Brewer’s Blackbirds are also year-round residents in parts of California and the southwestern United States.

Common Misidentifications

The Brewer’s Blackbird can be confused with other blackbirds and similar-sized dark-colored birds. One look-alike is the Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, which is larger and has a longer tail and more pronounced iridescence, often showing bronze or purple tones. Grackles also have a more robust bill compared to the slender bill of the Brewer’s Blackbird. If an individual has seen a Common Grackle before, they are highly unlikely to confuse the two species.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective the Brewer’s Blackbird is currently considered to be of  Least Concern, with stable and widespread populations within its geographical range. Their population is considered stable, and they are one of the more abundant blackbird species in North America. However, they face certain threats that could impact their numbers, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and human disturbances.