From Opus

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Photo by BigSkyBirds
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, U.S.A.

[edit] Identification

Male:

• Yellow head, neck and breast
• Black around the eye to base of bill
  
• Rest of body black, apart from white wing patches

Females are smaller and browner overall, except for a yellow throat and upper breast. Lower breast streaked with white. Lacks white wing patches.

[edit] Distribution

Breeding range extends from B.C. to the Great Lakes region, and throughout the western and central U.S. Resident populations can be found along the U.S. west coast. Winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Freshwater marches and lakes with reeds are areas for nesting and roosting, during fouraging often spreads into farmland.

Female Photo by bobsofpa Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM, USA, May 2007

First Winter Photo by bobsofpa Eagles Lake Park, Naples, Florida, USA, April 2008

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Vocalisation

Loud, with a variety of calls.

[edit] External Links