Identification - This bird is about the size of a robin. The male is the only black bird with a bright yellow head. It also has large white wing patches which are very conspicuous in flight.
Morsels - The Yellow-headed Blackbird male is larger and more aggressive than the male Red-winged Blackbird. Even though male Red-winged Blackbirds arrive earlier at breeding marshes, the Yellow-headed Blackbird drives them away from the reedbeds where the water is deepest and nests will be most secure from predators. The female builds a nest low in the marsh vegetation. If other birds, mammals, or even humans come near the nest, they will be attacked by the male who will not hesitate to strike.