From Opus

Agelaius xanthomus

Photo by njlarsen
Photo taken: La Parguera, Puerto Rico.

[edit] Identification

20-23cm (8-9 inches). The adult is glossy-black with yellow shoulder patches that will always be visible if the bird is flying, but if standing, they can cover or reveal the yellow patch at will. Immature is duller black and has a brown abdomen.

The Greater Antillean Oriole has more yellow. Greater Antillean Grackle has a longer tail which folds in a V-shape and lacks yellow in the wing. Shiny Cowbird male has a purple sheen and lacks yellow in the wing; the female is not black.

[edit] Distribution

Puerto Rico

Conservation Concerns: Yellow-shouldered Blackbird has been described as being common in the 1940s, but habitat degradation and nest parasitism from the Shiny Cowbird, which reached Puerto Rico in the 1940s, forced the population down quite dramatically, to a low of about 1000 birds.

The population on Mona Island is less affected by the cowbird because they often nest in cliff crevices which the cowbird does not visit.

[edit] Taxonomy

The subspecies monensis is found on Mona Island while the nominate subspecies is found in Puerto Rico, mainly along the south-western coast.

[edit] Habitat

Mainly mangroves and dry scrubland.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on insects, seeds and nectar, which it takes both on the ground and in trees. Nests both in crevices and tree forks.

[edit] External Links