blackbird

blackbird, in the New World, any of several species belonging to the family Icteridae (order Passeriformes); also, an Old World thrush (Turdus merula).

The Old World blackbird is 25 cm (10 inches) long; males are black and females brown, with orange bill and eye-rims. Common in woods and gardens throughout temperate Eurasia and established also in Australia and New Zealand, it resembles the American robin in general behaviour.

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The best-known icterid of this name is the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), ranging from Canada to the West Indies and Central America. It is 20 cm long, and the male’s black plumage is set off by red shoulder patches. All-black icterids in North America are the rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) and Brewer’s blackbird (E. cyanocephalus). The red-breasted blackbird (Leistes militaris), common over most of South America, is one of the so-called military blackbirds (also called, erroneously, starlings), or marshbirds.

For species also grouped with them, see meadowlark. For crow-blackbird, see grackle.