Gulls and Terns

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The family Icteridae includes a diverse group of songbirds found throughout the Americas, including blackbirds, orioles, meadowlarks, grackles, cowbirds, and bobolinks. These birds inhabit a wide variety of environments, from grasslands and wetlands to open woodlands and tropical forests. Their diets include insects, seeds, fruits, and other small animals, while many species are known for their distinctive songs, striking plumage, and complex social behaviors. Orioles weave elaborate hanging nests, meadowlarks are celebrated for their rich musical songs, and cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Although some icterids thrive in human-altered landscapes, several grassland species face significant population declines due to habitat loss and changing agricultural practices.

Icteridae – Blackbirds, Orioles and Allies