Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Traditional Cache
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Small cache located along one of the Oak Hammock Marsh hiking
trail. No bush wacking needed for this cache.
The Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus
xanthocephalus, is a medium-sized blackbird, and the only
member of the genus Xanthocephalus.
The adult male is mainly black with a yellow head and breast; they
have a white wing patch sometimes only visible in flight. The adult
female is mainly brown with a dull yellow throat and breast.
Their breeding habitat is cattail marshes in North America, mainly
west of the Great Lakes. The nest is built with and attached to
marsh vegetation. They nest in colonies, often sharing their
habitat closely with the Red-winged Blackbird. During the breeding
and nesting season the males are very territorial and spend much of
their time perched on reed stalk and displaying or chasing off
intruders.
These birds forage in the marsh, in fields or on the ground; they
sometimes catch insects in flight. They mainly eat seeds and
insects. Outside of the nesting period, they often feed in flocks,
often with other blackbirds.
This bird's song resembles the grating of a rusty hinge.
Oak Hammock Marsh is an ideal habitat for the Yellow-headed
Blackbird and if you listen carefully, you will likely hear one or
two singing from the spot you're standing.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)