The chestnut-capped blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, and Uruguay, where its natural habitats are swamps, ricefields and pastureland. The International Union for Conservation of Nature rates its conservation status as "least concern".
Region
Eastern and southern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Prefers freshwater marshes, reedbeds, ricefields, seasonally flooded pastures, and lake margins. Often associated with dense emergent vegetation such as cattails and grasses, where it perches and nests over shallow water. Readily adapts to agricultural wetlands and irrigation canals.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males are glossy black with a rich chestnut cap and nape, while females are browner and streaked, making the species strongly dimorphic. They often nest in loose colonies in marsh vegetation and are common in ricefields, where they eat both insect pests and spilled grain. Their presence can benefit farmers by reducing insect numbers, though they may also feed on ripening rice.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights over marsh vegetation
Social Behavior
Frequently forms small flocks, especially outside the breeding season, and often mixes with other icterids. Nests in loose colonies, placing cup-shaped nests low in reeds or grasses over water. Females handle most incubation while males display conspicuously from tall stems.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male's song is a wheezy, buzzy series of notes with a metallic quality. Calls include sharp chips and thin, squeaky phrases given from exposed perches in marshes.
