Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
The Chestnut-capped Blackbird (Chrysomus ruficapillus) is a uncommon new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 6 countries, weighing about 32 g. The chestnut-capped blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds.
About the Chestnut-capped Blackbird
The chestnut-capped blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Male chestnut-capped blackbirds average 18.5 cm (7.3 in) long and females 17.1 cm (6.7 in). Males weigh an average of 41.3 g (1.5 oz) and females average 32.2 g (1.1 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a deep dark chestnut forecrown, midcrown, throat, and upper breast. The rest of their plumages is black with a faint bluish gloss. Adult females of the nominate subspecies have a mostly olivaceous brown head with a faint buffish supercilium. Their upperparts are also olivaceous brown with faint dusky streaks. Voice: Male chestnut-capped blackbirds sing two types of songs, though they are highly variable among individuals even within a colony. One type "starts with clicks, warbles or whistles and ends in descending nasal buzz". The other type is "quite musical, either a series of loud, short and tremulous whistles around a sustained pitch...or flute-like notes on ascending scale".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in French Guiana.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Chestnut-capped Blackbird?
- Male chestnut-capped blackbirds average 18.5 cm (7.3 in) long and females 17.1 cm (6.7 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Chestnut-capped Blackbird?
- The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is a small sized bird weighing about 32 g.
- Where can you see a Chestnut-capped Blackbird?
- The Chestnut-capped Blackbird occurs in 6 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Chestnut-capped Blackbird?
- The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is most easily confused with the Yellow-hooded Blackbird.
- Is the Chestnut-capped Blackbird endangered?
- The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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