How do you identify a Pale-eyed Blackbird?

The adult pale-eyed blackbird is entirely black in both sexes. Full identification notes are on this page.

How big is a Pale-eyed Blackbird?

The Pale-eyed Blackbird is a small sized bird weighing about 45 g.

Where can you see a Pale-eyed Blackbird?

The Pale-eyed Blackbird occurs in 2 countries, including Peru and Ecuador.

What birds look similar to a Pale-eyed Blackbird?

The Pale-eyed Blackbird is most easily confused with the Unicolored Blackbird and the Yellow-winged Blackbird.

Is the Pale-eyed Blackbird endangered?

The Pale-eyed Blackbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Pale-eyed Blackbird

Agelasticus xanthophthalmus

New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies · Passeriformes · Rare

The Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus) is a rare new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 2 countries, weighing about 45 g. The pale-eyed blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebrateswetlandcup nest45 g

Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus), photo 1 — Photo: Joao Quental · CC BY 2.0

Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus), photo 2 — Photo: Joao Quental · CC BY 2.0

About the Pale-eyed Blackbird

The pale-eyed blackbird is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru where its natural habitat is swamps. An inconspicuous bird of very local occurrence, it was first described in 1969 by American ornithologist Lester L. Short.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The adult pale-eyed blackbird is entirely black in both sexes. It has white or pale buff coloured irises to its eyes which are very distinctive and distinguish it from other black birds found in the area such as the velvet-fronted grackle and the shiny cowbird which have dark eyes. Juveniles and immature birds are brownish-black with underparts streaked with yellow or buff. The call is a loud metallic "tew-tew-tew-tew" similar to that of a black-capped donacobius. It is usually sung from the top of a shrub.

Where it lives

Peru Ecuador

When to see it

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Pale-eyed Blackbird?: The adult pale-eyed blackbird is entirely black in both sexes. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Pale-eyed Blackbird?: The Pale-eyed Blackbird is a small sized bird weighing about 45 g.
Where can you see a Pale-eyed Blackbird?: The Pale-eyed Blackbird occurs in 2 countries, including Peru and Ecuador.
What birds look similar to a Pale-eyed Blackbird?: The Pale-eyed Blackbird is most easily confused with the Unicolored Blackbird and the Yellow-winged Blackbird.
Is the Pale-eyed Blackbird endangered?: The Pale-eyed Blackbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Pale-eyed Blackbird for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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