Yellow-winged Blackbird

Male yellow-winged blackbirds average 17.9 cm (7.0 in) long. Males weigh an average of 33.5 g (1.2 oz) and females average about 29 g (1.0 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males of the nominate subspecies are almost entirely black. Their marginal, lesser upperwing, and underwing coverts are yellow; the first two give the species its English name. Females have a dark brown crown, a wide buff supercilium, and dark brown ear coverts. The rest of their head and their upperparts are brown with wide dusky streaks and some chestnut edges on the lower scapulars and lower back. Voice: The yellow-winged blackbird's song varies among and within the subspecies. Males of the nominate subspecies and A. t. petersii sing variable "trills of 3–7 notes..., a whistled warble tréé-o-lay (or séé-you-there), and a similar warble ending with a strong nasal or buzzing tone (tree-o-láááy). The song of A. t. alticola is described as similar but less nasal. Both sexes make a sharp chep call.