The yellow-hooded blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in grassy and brush areas near water in northern South America, and is generally fairly common. It is sexually dimorphic, and the sexes resemble the respective sexes of the larger yellow-headed blackbird of North America, though the male yellow-hooded blackbird lacks white in the wings.
Region
Northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland wetlands from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and northern Brazil, and on Trinidad. Prefers marshes, swamps, rice fields, lagoons, and the edges of slow-moving rivers. Frequently occupies dense stands of reeds, cattails, and other emergent vegetation near open water. Tolerates modified landscapes and can be common in agricultural wetlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Smaller than the North American yellow-headed blackbird, the male yellow-hooded blackbird has a vivid yellow hood and breast with no white in the wings. It often forms loose colonies in reedbeds and rice fields and adapts well to human-altered wetlands. Males display conspicuously from tall stems, puffing their yellow plumage and delivering buzzy songs.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often breeds in loose colonies within marshes, with males displaying from prominent perches and defending small territories. Nests are woven cups attached to reed stems over shallow water. Outside the breeding season, gathers in small flocks that may join mixed-species blackbird groups.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male’s song is a series of buzzy, metallic notes and wheezy phrases delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips and chatters, often given in chorus within colonies.
Plumage
Male glossy black with a bright yellow hood and upper breast; female dusky brown with warmer buff tones and subtle streaking.
Diet
Consumes seeds and grains (including rice and sedges) along with insects, spiders, and aquatic invertebrates. During the breeding season, animal prey may increase as adults feed nestlings protein-rich items. Forages by gleaning from reed stems, picking from the water surface, and probing soft mud at the marsh edge.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in emergent vegetation, shallow water, and muddy margins of marshes, ponds, and rice paddies. Often uses floating vegetation mats and nearby open ground to search for food. Will visit agricultural fields adjacent to wetlands.
