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[[Image:Yellow-shouldered_Blackbird.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by njlarsen<br />Photo taken: La Parguera, Puerto Rico.]] | [[Image:Yellow-shouldered_Blackbird.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by njlarsen<br />Photo taken: La Parguera, Puerto Rico.]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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Revision as of 19:46, 30 July 2008
- Agelaioides xanthomus
Description
Twenty to twentythree cm (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.
Identification
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.
Distribution & Taxonomy
The subspecies monensis is found on Mona Island off Puerto Rico while the nominate subspecies is found in Puerto Rico, mainly along the south-western coast.
Habitat
Mainly mangroves and dry scrubland.
Conservation Concerns
Yellow-sholdered Blackbird has been described as being common in the 1940ties, but habitat degradation and nest parasitism from the Shiny Cowbird, which reached Puerto Rico in the 1940ties, 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 crevises which the cowbird does not visit.
Behaviour
Feeds on insects, seeds and nectar, which it takes both on the ground and in trees. Nests both in crevises and tree forks.
