Are you curious about the blackbirds in Colorado? These birds are more than just black feathers and yellow eyes. They have diverse shapes, sizes, colors, and songs. In this article, you’ll discover 18 amazing blackbird species that live in Colorado. You’ll learn about their traits, habits, and habitats. I’ve researched them all for you, so let’s get started.
Types of Blackbirds in Colorado
1. Red-winged Blackbird
- Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus
- Length: 7-9 inches (18-23 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-2.2 ounces (30-62 grams)
- Wingspan: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: Male Red-winged Blackbirds are known for their territorial behavior and the striking red and yellow shoulder patches they display during the breeding season.
Appearance: Red-winged Blackbirds are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females have different appearances. Males are striking with glossy black feathers and distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches, which they display during courtship. Females are more understated with streaked brown plumage.
Habitat: These blackbirds are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and agricultural areas across Colorado. They prefer habitats with cattails, reeds, and water sources.
Behavior: Red-winged Blackbirds are known for their territorial nature, especially during the breeding season. Males perch on prominent vegetation and sing to establish their territory. Their “conk-la-ree” calls are a familiar sound in wetland areas.
Prevalence in Colorado: Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant blackbirds in Colorado, making them a common sight in wetland environments.
2. European Starling of Colorado
- Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris
- Length: 7.5-9.5 inches (19-24 cm)
- Weight: 2-3.2 ounces (57-91 grams)
- Wingspan: 12-16 inches (30-40 cm)
- Fun Fact: European Starlings are highly skilled mimics and can imitate the calls of other bird species and even mechanical sounds.
Characteristics: European Starlings are medium-sized birds with iridescent black plumage that shimmers with green and purple hues. During the breeding season, adults develop yellow bills.
Habitat: These adaptable birds can be found in a wide range of habitats in Colorado, including urban areas, farmlands, and open woodlands.
Distinctive Features: One of the key features that set European Starlings apart is their ability to mimic other bird species‘ songs and calls. They are excellent vocal mimics.
Habitat in Colorado: European Starlings are year-round residents in Colorado and are often seen in large flocks, especially in urban settings.
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3. Western Meadowlark
- Scientific Name: Sturnella neglecta
- Length: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)
- Weight: 3-5 ounces (85-142 grams)
- Wingspan: 16-18 inches (41-46 cm)
- Fun Fact: The Western Meadowlark’s cheerful song is often described as the “sunset song of the open range,” making it an iconic sound of the American prairie.
Unique Features: Western Meadowlarks are known for their striking yellow plumage with a bold black “V” on their chests. Their song is a quintessential sound of the prairie and is often described as a cheerful, flute-like melody.
Relationship with Colorado’s Landscapes: Western Meadowlarks are intimately tied to Colorado’s grasslands, pastures, and meadows. They thrive in open spaces and are frequently seen foraging for insects on the ground.
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4. Common Grackle in Colorado
- Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula
- Length: 11-13 inches (28-33 cm)
- Weight: 2.6-5 ounces (73-142 grams)
- Wingspan: 14-18 inches (36-46 cm)
- Fun Fact: Common Grackles are known for their iridescent plumage that can appear blue, green, or purple in the sunlight.
Habits and Behavior: Common Grackles are medium-sized blackbirds with iridescent blue-green plumage. They are opportunistic feeders, foraging for insects, seeds, grains, and even small vertebrates.
Role in Ecosystems: These birds play an important role in controlling insect populations in Colorado, making them valuable contributors to local ecosystems. They are also known for their communal roosting behavior, gathering in large flocks.
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5. Brown-headed Cowbird
- Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
- Length: 7.5-8.7 inches (19-22 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.8 ounces (31-51 grams)
- Wingspan: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: Brown-headed Cowbirds are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species to be raised by the host parents.
Appearance and Breeding Habits: Brown-headed Cowbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with glossy black bodies and brown heads. They have a unique breeding strategy known as brood parasitism, where they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Presence in Colorado: Brown-headed Cowbirds are common in Colorado and are often found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands.
6. Bullock’s Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus bullockii
- Length: 6.7-8.3 inches (17-21 cm)
- Weight: 1-1.4 ounces (29-40 grams)
- Wingspan: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
- Fun Fact: These orioles are named after the American naturalist William Bullock.
Insights into Bullock’s Oriole: Bullock’s Orioles are small, brightly colored birds with orange plumage and black markings on their wings and face. They are known for their cheerful whistling songs.
Migratory Patterns: These orioles are summer residents in Colorado, arriving in the spring to breed and departing in the fall. They often nest in cottonwood trees near water sources.
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7. Brewer’s Blackbird
- Scientific Name: Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Length: 8.3-10.2 inches (21-26 cm)
- Weight: 1.6-3.1 ounces (46-89 grams)
- Wingspan: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: Brewer’s Blackbirds are often seen foraging on the ground for insects and seeds in urban areas.
Distinguishing Features: Brewer’s Blackbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with glossy black plumage. Males have striking yellow eyes, which are a notable feature.
Adaptation to Colorado: These blackbirds are highly adaptable and can be found in various environments across Colorado, including urban areas, agricultural fields, and grasslands.
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8. Yellow-headed Blackbird
- Scientific Name: Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
- Length: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm)
- Weight: 1.4-2.5 ounces (40-72 grams)
- Wingspan: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: These blackbirds are known for their striking yellow heads and vocal calls that sound like “kon-ka-ree.”
Appearance: Yellow-headed Blackbirds are named for their striking yellow heads and black bodies. They are visually stunning birds, especially against the backdrop of Colorado’s wetlands.
Significance in Wetlands: These blackbirds are important inhabitants of Colorado wetlands. They help control insect populations and contribute to the overall health of wetland ecosystems.
9. Great-tailed Grackle
- Scientific Name: Quiscalus mexicanus
- Length: 16-18 inches (41-46 cm)
- Weight: 3-6 ounces (85-170 grams)
- Wingspan: 14-24 inches (36-61 cm)
- Fun Fact: Great-tailed Grackles are known for their large, keel-shaped tails, which they often fan out dramatically.
Behavior and Habitat Preferences: Great-tailed Grackles are medium-sized blackbirds with long, keel-shaped tails and iridescent plumage that shifts between blue and purple hues. They are often found in urban areas, including Colorado’s cities.
Abundance in Urban Areas: Their adaptability to urban environments makes them a common sight in parks, parking lots, and residential areas across Colorado.
10. Orchard Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus spurius
- Length: 5.9-7.1 inches (15-18 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-1 ounce (14-28 grams)
- Wingspan: 7.5-9 inches (19-23 cm)
- Fun Fact: Orchard Orioles are one of the smallest oriole species in North America.
Unique Characteristics: Orchard Orioles are small with bright orange plumage and distinctive black markings. They prefer nesting in fruit orchards and gardens.
Presence in Colorado: These orioles are summer residents, adding color and charm to Colorado’s orchards and gardens.
11. Bobolink
- Scientific Name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus
- Length: 6.3-7.9 inches (16-20 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-2 ounces (31-57 grams)
- Wingspan: 10-13 inches (25-33 cm)
- Fun Fact: Bobolinks are known for their long-distance migrations, traveling from South America to North America for the breeding season.
Migratory Patterns: Bobolinks are neotropical migrants, arriving in Colorado during the breeding season. They are often found in grasslands and prairies.
Preferred Breeding Grounds: They choose open grasslands for nesting, making them a fascinating sight in Colorado’s rural areas.
12. Baltimore Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
- Length: 6.7-7.5 inches (17-19 cm)
- Weight: 1-1.4 ounces (28-40 grams)
- Wingspan: 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)
- Fun Fact: Baltimore Orioles are known for their intricate hanging nests, which they weave from plant fibers.
Vibrant Appearance: Baltimore Orioles are known for their vibrant orange plumage and striking black markings on their wings. They add a splash of color to Colorado’s landscapes during the summer months.
13. Rusty Blackbirds in Colorado
- Scientific Name: Euphagus carolinus
- Length: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
- Weight: 1.3-2.4 ounces (37-68 grams)
- Wingspan: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: Rusty Blackbirds are one of the least understood blackbird species, and their populations have been declining.
Features and Behavior: Rusty Blackbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with rusty brown plumage during the breeding season. They prefer swampy, wooded areas and are often seen foraging near water sources.
Habitat Preferences in Colorado: In Colorado, you can spot Rusty Blackbirds in wetlands, riparian habitats, and areas with dense vegetation.
14. Scott’s Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus parisorum
- Length: 7.1-8.7 inches (18-22 cm)
- Weight: 0.8-1.3 ounces (23-37 grams)
- Wingspan: 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)
- Fun Fact: Scott’s Orioles are often associated with arid regions, and their striking black and yellow plumage is a standout feature.
Appearance and Nesting Habits: Scott’s Orioles are striking with black and yellow plumage. They nest in pinyon-juniper woodlands in Colorado’s southwestern regions.
Presence in Colorado: Their presence is most notable in the southwestern part of the state, where they can be seen in their preferred habitat.
15. Eastern Meadowlark
- Scientific Name: Sturnella magna
- Length: 7.5-9.5 inches (19-24 cm)
- Weight: 3-4.2 ounces (85-119 grams)
- Wingspan: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)
- Fun Fact: Eastern Meadowlarks are known for their melodious and distinctive song, often described as “spring of the year” or “clear, whistled notes.”
Characteristics and Song: Eastern Meadowlarks are known for their bright yellow plumage and distinctive song that fills Colorado’s meadows during the breeding season. They are often heard before they are seen.
Prevalence in Colorado’s Meadows: These meadowlarks are common in grassy meadows and pastures across Colorado, where they forage for insects and seeds.
16. Hooded Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus cucullatus
- Length: 7.5-8 inches (19-20 cm)
- Weight: 1-1.2 ounces (28-34 grams)
- Wingspan: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm)
- Fun Fact: Hooded Orioles have a preference for nectar-rich flowers and are important pollinators in their habitats.
Striking Appearance: Hooded Orioles have striking orange plumage with a black bib. They pass through Colorado during migration, making them a temporary but visually stunning presence.
Migration Through Colorado: Catch a glimpse of these beautiful birds as they migrate through the state, often pausing briefly to refuel.
17. Streak-backed Oriole
- Scientific Name: Icterus pustulatus
- Length: 7-8.3 inches (18-21 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-1.1 ounces (18-32 grams)
- Wingspan: 9-10.6 inches (23-27 cm)
- Fun Fact: Streak-backed Orioles are occasional visitors to Colorado and are known for their striking black and yellow plumage.
Rare Visitor to Colorado: Streak-backed Orioles are a rare sight in Colorado. They are occasional visitors, and sightings are influenced by various factors, including food availability and weather conditions.
Circumstances of Sighting: To spot them, keep an eye out during their occasional visits to Colorado, especially in areas where they may find suitable food sources.
18. Bronzed Cowbird
- Scientific Name: Molothrus aeneus
- Length: 7.1-8.3 inches (18-21 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.6 ounces (31-46 grams)
- Wingspan: 11.8-13.4 inches (30-34 cm)
- Fun Fact: Bronzed Cowbirds engage in brood parasitism, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly in open grasslands.
Behavior and Nesting Preferences: Bronzed Cowbirds have a glossy black body with a brownish sheen. They often nest in the nests of other bird species.
Presence in Colorado’s Grasslands: You can find them in Colorado’s grasslands, where they engage in their brood parasitic behavior.
People Also Ask?
Q1: What are the big black birds in Denver?
The big black birds in Denver are most likely common ravens or American crows, both of which belong to the same family of corvids. Ravens are larger than crows, have wedge-shaped tails, thicker bills, and deeper croaking voices. Crows have a fan-shaped tail, a thinner bill, and a higher-pitched cawing voice. Both species are intelligent and adaptable and can be found in urban and rural areas. You can learn more about how to tell them apart here.
Q2: Is a blackbird a crow or a raven?
A blackbird is neither a crow nor a raven. Blackbirds are a group of songbirds that belong to the family Icteridae, which also includes orioles, meadowlarks, cowbirds, and grackles. Blackbirds are smaller than crows and ravens and have different shapes of wings, bills, and tails. Some blackbirds also have bright colors on their feathers, such as red, yellow, or orange. You can see some examples of blackbirds here.
Q3: What Colorado bird has black spots?
One Colorado bird that has black spots is the northern flicker, which is a large brown woodpecker with gray highlights, a white patch on its rump in flight, and a red nape of the neck in males. Northern flickers have black spots on their chest, belly, and back, and black bars on their wings and tail. They are common and widespread in Colorado and can be found in woodlands, parks, and gardens. They feed on ants, beetles, and other insects, as well as fruits, seeds, and nuts. You can see a picture of a northern flicker here.
Q4: Do grackles migrate from Colorado?
Grackles are semi-migratory birds, meaning that some of them migrate during the winter while others do not. Generally, grackles living further north migrate south in flocks, while grackles already living in the south stay put year-round. In Colorado, grackles are mostly found in the eastern plains and the lower elevations of the Front Range. They are common in urban and suburban areas, where they feed on seeds, grains, fruits, insects, and garbage. They are noisy and social birds, often roosting and foraging in large groups with other blackbirds. You can read more about grackles here.
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