Melodious Blackbird
Dives dives
The Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) is a common new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 8 countries, weighing about 91 g. The melodious blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds.
About the Melodious Blackbird
The melodious blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found from Mexico to Costa Rica.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Male melodious blackbirds average 25.5 cm (10 in) long and weigh 98.3 to 102 g (3.5 to 3.6 oz). Females average 23 cm (9.1 in) long and weigh 83.4 to 95.9 g (2.9 to 3.4 oz). The species has a long tail and disproportionately large legs and feet. The sexes have the same plumage: Adults are entirely black with blue and purple iridescence. They have a dark brown iris, a black bill, and black legs and feet. Juveniles are a duller, non-glossy, brownish black. Voice: Both sexes of the melodious blackbird sing, and often do so in duet. One description of its song calls is "loud and musical, a mix of mellow whistles and warbles with sudden changes in pitch". They sing from an open perch and display to each other "with pumping movements that appear almost like a dance", singing a "ringing, slightly liquid Wheeeee 'Teeuu!" that is often repeated at length.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Melodious Blackbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Melodious Blackbird?
- Male melodious blackbirds average 25.5 cm (10 in) long and weigh 98.3 to 102 g (3.5 to 3.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Melodious Blackbird?
- The Melodious Blackbird is a medium sized bird weighing about 91 g.
- Where can you see a Melodious Blackbird?
- The Melodious Blackbird occurs in 8 countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.
- What birds look similar to a Melodious Blackbird?
- The Melodious Blackbird is most easily confused with the Scrub Blackbird.
- Is the Melodious Blackbird endangered?
- The Melodious Blackbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Melodious Blackbird for real
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