An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family ICTERIDAE: Blackbirds & Relatives

FIELD MARKS There are 13 species of blackbirds and orioles found in British Columbia. Most of these species are about the size of a robin. Females in most species are duller in colour. They all have conical, pointed bills. FOOD The members of this family eat seeds and insects. Orioles eat more berries than seeds and often feed on nectar. Grackles are a larger species that are omnivores and eat just about anything. HABITAT These birds often live in habitats such as hedge rows, marshes or woodland edges. NESTING This family has a wide variety of nesting habits. Some nest alone and some nest in colonies; some nest in trees and others nest in cattails. Cowbirds are parasitic and lay their eggs in other birds' nests, leaving the host bird to raise their young. For the most part, these birds either build open, cup-shaped nests or a hanging pouch of grass and plant fibres. The female incubates the eggs and both parents work together to feed the young. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)