ABSTRACT
44The yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is a passerine species in the family Icteridae. The species names, both common and scientific, are derived from the bright saffron–yellow head of the male: xantho from the Greek word xanthos, meaning “yellow,” and cephalus from the Greek kephalos, referring to the head. The species, however, is sexually dimorphic, males being larger and possessing more vibrant plumage than the drabber, more diminutive females. The brilliant yellow head, neck, and breast of the adult male shown in Figure 3.1 is indicative of the species, which otherwise is predominately black except for white wing patches. Females and young, hatching-year males have more subdued dull black and brown body feathers with a yellowish breast but lack the prominent yellow head.
