Blackbirds (Icteridae)
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus. Insects, seeds and grain taken while walking.
Blackbirds (Icteridae)Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus
- Scientific name
- Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Length
- 7.9–9.8 in
- Weight
- 1.8–3 oz
- Nest
- Bulky cup in a shrub, tree or on the ground, often in loose colonies
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–17 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Male glossy black with a purple head and yellow eye
- Female plain grey-brown with a dark eye
- Slim, medium-length tail
Voice
A harsh, creaking 'k-zeee'.
Diet and feeding
Insects, seeds and grain taken while walking.
What do Brewer's blackbirds eat? · Best feeder for Brewer's blackbirds
Brewer's Blackbirds by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| California | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do Brewer's blackbirds eat?
Insects, seeds and grain taken while walking. At feeders: cracked corn, millet, mixed seed.
How big is a Brewer's Blackbird?
7.9–9.8 in long and 1.8–3 oz.
Do Brewer's blackbirds use birdhouses?
No. Bulky cup in a shrub, tree or on the ground, often in loose colonies.
Sources
- Brewer's Blackbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brewer's Blackbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brewer's Blackbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.