Bird Description

Common in open areas near woodland edges. Frequently around animals, often walks near hooves, looking for insects or catching a ride. Joins other blackbird flocks in winter. Tail distinctively cocked high in the air as it feeds and sometimes points bill skyward as if sniffing the air. Not liked for its parasitic nest behavior. Newly hatched chicks are demanding and take full attention of host parent. ID: Noticeably small and chunky, big-headed with a short tail. Flight is powerful and smooth with slow wingbeats. Surprisingly long-tailed with pointed wings. Ad ?: body often appears black, though is actually green/blue. Head and neck brown, creating a distinctive hood. ?: dull pale brown with gray tinge. Slightly darker on upperparts with barely visible diffuse streaking on underparts. Head appears paler than body with indistinct supercilium and weak malar stripe on throat. Juv: brown with pale-fringed upperparts giving scaly effect. Underparts have well-defined streaks. Starts molting adult-type feathers through fall. Imm ?: a patchwork of dark and brown feathers.