New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies (Icteridae)
- Order
- Passeriformes
Overview
The yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is a medium-sized blackbird with a yellow head.
It is the only member of the genus Xanthocephalus. Their scientific name derives from the Greek word for yellow, xanthous, and the word for head, cephalus.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds southern Canada to northern Baja California and southern USA; winters to central Mexico.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Continents
Countries
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Yellow-headed blackbird
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
