From Opus

Aternative name: Bonaparte's Blackbird

Sturnella superciliaris

Photo by Jamfaraco
Photo taken: Brazil.

[edit] Identification

Black plumage, bright red throat, belly and wing epaulettes, white supercilium. The female has buff edged dark brown upperpart feathers, buff underparts, and pale streaks through the crown and eye. Juveniles resemble the female, but are paler.

[edit] Distribution

Brazil through Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

[edit] Taxonomy

This taxon has sometimes been considered a subspecies of Red-breasted Blackbird (Sturnella militaris). This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Open country, including moist grasslands, pasture and cultivation.

[edit] Behaviour

It builds a deep grass-lined open cup nest on the ground amongst tall grasses; several nests are often close together. 3-5 reddish brown-blotched greenish eggs are laid. This species is often parasitised by the Shiny Cowbird.

The diet includes insects and some seeds, including rice.

[edit] External Links