Troupials and Allies Icteridae
This large New World family is divided into 28 genera, of which 10 are thus far listed below. Of the 99 species, 1 is considered critically endangered, 7 are endangered, 5 are vulnerable, and 1 other is considered
near-threatened. This family is commonly known as the New World Blackbirds, as well as Icterids.
Psarocolius
There are 9 species within this genus. The Baudo Oropendola Psarocolius cassini is listed as endangered.
The Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons is restricted to northwestern South America. The yellow-billed race, such as the
one shown, may infact prove to be a seperate species, the Yellow-billed Oropendola Psarocolius alfredi.
This Russet-backed Oropendola was photographed at the Amazonia Lodge, Madre de Dios, Peru, November 2003.
Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma near Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri near Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Cacicus
There are 9 species within this genus. The Selva Cacique Cacicus koepckeae is listed as vulnerable.
The Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis has a disjunct range from extreme northeastern Honduras, south to Peru. There are several
distinct races involved, with one or more possibly quailifying for recognition as a distinct species. Photographed in the grounds of the Hotel Gavilan,
near La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Icterus
With 27 species, this is the largest genus in the family. The Montserrat Oriole Icterus oberi is critically endangered,
the Martinique Oriole Icterus bonana is vulnerable, and the St. Lucia Oriole Icterus laudabilis
is near-threatened.
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda at Salineno, near Flacon Dam, Texas, January 1988.
Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas in the grounds of the Hotel Gavilan, near La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula near San Isidro del General, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, near McAllen, Texas, March 2009.
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius at Eastern Shores of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, June 2008.
Molothrus
There are 5 species within this genus.
Like the other members of this genus, Brown-headed Cowbirds Molothrus ater are parasitic. They do not build nests, prefering to lay their
eggs in the nests of other bird species and relying on these hosts to incubate and raise their chicks. They are a North American species that ranges from
south coastal Alaska, south to southern Mexico. This adult male was photographed at the Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona, April 2004.
Dives
There are 3 species within this genus.
The Melodious Blackbird Dives dives was formerly confined to the Gulf slope from eastern Mexico, south to Nicaragua. During the past twenty
years, this species has literally invaded Costa Rica, and will no doubt soon colonize Panama too! Photographed in the grounds of the Hotel Guachilepin, near
the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Agelaius
There are 5 species within this genus.The Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird Agelaius
xanthomus are both considered endangered.
The Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus is a wide-ranging North American species that is found fron southeast Alaska, south to Costa Rica.
They typically breed in wetland areas. During winter, roosting flocks sometimes numbering several million birds can be found in areas of open fields and
agricultural lands. This adult male was photographed at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona, March 2002.
Euphagus
There are 2 species within this genus. The Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus is listed as vulnerable.
The Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus is another species that is restricted to North America. They inhabit a wide range of habitats,
including open agricultaal land and suburbs, across western Canada, the western USA, and northern Baja California. During winter, they migrate to the
southern USA, south to southern Mexico. This female was photographed at the Lee Valley Reservoir, White Mountains, Arizona, June 2003.
Quiscalus
There are 6 species within this genus.
A female Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A male Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus at Casa Grande, Pinal County, Arizona, December 2001.
Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, June 2008.
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula at Bennett Springs State Park, Missouri, June 2008.
Sturnella
There are 8 species within this genus. The Pampas Meadowlark Sturnella defilippii is listed as vulnerable.
The Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna is a wide ranging species. They inhabit open grasslands and pastures from southeastern Canada, south to
northern South America. Many authors regard the paler "lilianae" race as a seperate species. Photographed near Sunrise, in the White Mountains, Arizona, July 2006.
Xanthocephalus
This is the only member of the genus.
The Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus breeds in freshwater marshes of southern Canada and the western and central USA.
A small population also breeds in the northeastern region of Baja California.
During winter, they can be found in open fields and pastures of the far southwestern USA, south to central Mexico, and rarely to northwestern
Costa Rica. This adult male was photographed at Pinetop/Lakeside, Arizona, June 2001.
PASSERINES