Orioles & Blackbirds

Birds from the Icterid family display the wide diversity of colours, social behavior and nesting. Included in this species are Orioles, Cowbirds, Blackbirds and Meadowlarks. Orioles are typically black and orange colours, though some species appear to be shades of chestnut or yellow. Cowbirds do not make their own nests but lay their eggs in those of up to 300 different species across North and South America. Blackbirds are largely covered in dark feathers, and though they are not as brilliantly coloured as some other Icterids, they are quite impressive to see during migration as blackbirds are among the most numerous on our continent. The meadowlark group only contains two species: Eastern and Western. Both have bright-yellow chests with a black bib and sing a sweet song.