Scrub Blackbird

Scrub blackbirds of the nominate subspecies are about 22 cm (9 in) long and those of subspecies D. w. kalinowskii 27 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in). Males of the nominate subspecies weigh an average of 85.5 g (3.0 oz) and females 84 g (3.0 oz). Males of subspecies D. w. kalinowskii weigh an average of 110 g (3.9 oz). The species has a long tail and disproportionately large legs and feet. Both sexes of both subspecies have the same entirely black plumage. The nominate subspecies has a blue to green iridescence and D. w. kalinowskii has a violaceous iridescence. Voice: The scrub blackbird is "a scandalously noisy bird". Pairs typically sing in duet, "a rather pleasant mixture of warbles, trills and whistles, mixed with chattering and buzzing notes". Birds typically sing from a perch while fluffing their feathers, "bowing", and pointing their bill to the sky. One rendering of the song is "a variation of wr-tzzzeeét! worgleeo, wor-gleeo-glezeé".