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Wild About Illinois Birds
Blackbirds, Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, Orioles and Grackles
Family and Species Gallery
Order Passeriformes - These are birds with adaptations for holding on to thin twigs or stems. Three of the toes on each foot face forward and one backward to help it grasp and balance on small branches.
Family Icteridae (Blackbirds) - Blackbirds have a medium-sized, sharp-pointed bill. In most species, the male and female have different coloration. The diet consists of insects, seeds, fruits and other items.
yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) [state endangered]
bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
orchard oriole (Icterus spurius)
Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula)
red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)
rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)
Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)