Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: BLACKBIRD, YELLOW-HEADED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: PASSERIFORMES

Family: ICTERIDAE

Genus: XANTHOCEPHALUS

Species: XANTHOCEPHALUS

Taxonomic Authority: (BONAPARTE)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 020 , 025 , 032

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit marshes with permanent water and emergent vegetation such as cattails, bulrush, flags and reeds. Average depth of water at nest sites 18 inches."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - marsh"

References: 015 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 019

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Uncommon summer resident in northwest (local), rare winter resident in northwest, (accidental elsewhere), rare transient*01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR ANDREW
ATCHISON AUDRAIN
BOONE BARRY
BUCHANAN BARTON
CALLAWAY BATES
CHARITON BENTON
CLINTON BOLLINGER
HOLT BUTLER
PLATTE CALDWELL
PUTNAM CAMDEN
RAY CAPE GIRARDEAU
SALINE CARROLL
ST. CHARLES CARTER
ST. LOUIS CASS
CEDAR
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
POLK
PULASKI
RALLS
RANDOLPH
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 013 , 014 , 031 , 003 , 012 , 027 , 001

Distribution by Watersheds

South Fabius R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Blackwater R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Osage Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent",
"Palustrine", "Emergent, persistent",
"Palustrine", "Scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous"

References for Aquatic Associations: 015 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 019 , 026 , 036

Habitat Types:

Marsh
Cereal Grain

References for Habitat Types: 015 , 021 , 024

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Wetland
Marshes
Freshwater Marsh
Pond Marsh
Ground Water Seepage
Fen
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp
Shrub Swamp
Pond Shrub Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 015 , 019 , 036

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Insects Insects; Larva stage
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Larva stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Hirudineans (leeches); Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Adult Stage

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 015 , 018 , 019 , 023

Adult Food Habits

Forbs; Fruit/Seeds
Compositae (asters); Fruit/Seeds
Gramineae (grass); Fruit/Seeds
Corn; Fruit/Seeds
Oats; Fruit/Seeds
Wheat; Fruit/Seeds
Barley; Fruit/Seeds
Foxtail grass; Fruit/Seeds
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 015 , 018 , 019 , 028

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: crop fields/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Agricultural crops: small grains

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 024

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 024

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: semipermanently flooded
Water level: seasonally flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: fen
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: crop fields/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Conservation reserve program (CRP) fields

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 024 , 030 , 036

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Water level: permanently flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: crop fields/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Agricultural crops: wheat
Agricultural crops: oats
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: alfalfa
Agricultural crops: hay

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 024 , 029 , 033 , 034

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Water level: permanently flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: marsh
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: crop fields/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Agricultural crops: wheat
Agricultural crops: oats
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: alfalfa
Agricultural crops: hay

References for resting adult niche requirements: 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 024

Niche Requirement Summary

Agricultural crops: alfalfa
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops: oats
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: wheat
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: cattail (Typha)
Aquatic vegetation: reeds
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Conservation reserve program (CRP) fields
Edge: crop fields/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: fen
Inland wetlands: marsh
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water level: seasonally flooded
Water level: semipermanently flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
016 Nest diam. 5-6" *17*
014 Nest 6-36" above water *17*
015 Nest material aquatic vegetation *17*.
017 Incubation 12-13 days *16,17,30*
018 Clutch size 3-7 *16*, 3-5, usually 4 *17*, 1-5, usually 3-4 *30*.
026 Females defend sub-territories around their own nests within male's territory *15,24*
027 Territory size 400-43,830 square feet *15*, 215-217 sq. M. *19*.
035 Limiting factors - vegetation to nest in, uplands with food supply near marsh if territory can't supply enough food *15,19*. Predation most important cause of nest mortality in canada study (51%); marsh wren was most important nest predator. Nest success was positively correlated with distance to marsh wren territories. Other predators include long-tailed weasel and mink. *30*.
099 Young fledged at 9-12 days *16,30* when species occurs on same marsh as red- winged blackbird, it occupies areas over deeper water *16*. Are colonial nesters *15,19,24* birds with large territories feed on their territory, those with small territories feed on uplands *15,24*. Form flocks with other icterids, especially grackles and red-winged blackbirds, in fall *18*

Life History Information

Territoriality specified in comments(026)
Territory size specified in comments(027)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Seasonal distribution in state: neotropical migrants
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites: herbaceous vegetation
Mating system: polygyny
Nest/den site: emergent aquatic vegetation
Nest/den site: rushes and cattails
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials specified in comments(015)
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents
Territoriality: defends entire breeding, feeding, and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
016 Nest diam. 5-6" *17*
014 Nest 6-36" above water *17*
015 Nest material aquatic vegetation *17*.
017 Incubation 12-13 days *16,17,30*
018 Clutch size 3-7 *16*, 3-5, usually 4 *17*, 1-5, usually 3-4 *30*.
026 Females defend sub-territories around their own nests within male's territory *15,24*
027 Territory size 400-43,830 square feet *15*, 215-217 sq. M. *19*.
035 Limiting factors - vegetation to nest in, uplands with food supply near marsh if territory can't supply enough food *15,19*. Predation most important cause of nest mortality in canada study (51%); marsh wren was most important nest predator. Nest success was positively correlated with distance to marsh wren territories. Other predators include long-tailed weasel and mink. *30*.
099 Young fledged at 9-12 days *16,30* when species occurs on same marsh as red- winged blackbird, it occupies areas over deeper water *16*. Are colonial nesters *15,19,24* birds with large territories feed on their territory, those with small territories feed on uplands *15,24*. Form flocks with other icterids, especially grackles and red-winged blackbirds, in fall *18*

References for life history: 015 , 017 , 018 , 019 , 024 , 030 , 001

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - develop/maintain freshwater marsh
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - restrict human disturbance
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Agricultural - maintain streamside vegetation
Agricultural - retention of crop residue over winter
Agricultural - establish crp (conservation reserve program) fields
Grassland - maintain riparian habitats

Beneficial Management References: 004 , 015 , 019 , 024

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - control aquatic plants
Water - burning marshes or wetlands
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Agricultural - application of herbicides
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Agricultural - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)
Agricultural - clean farming
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)

Adverse Management References: 004 , 015 , 019 , 024

Comments on Management:
In IA study occurred in CRP (conserveration reserve program) fields *29*. In ND study, were present only in hayed portions of cool-season CRP fields *35*. Management which benefits waterfowl usually good for this species too *19*

References for Management Comments: 019 , 029 , 035

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
002 American Ornithologists Union. 1998. Check-List Of North American Birds, 7th Ed. American Orn. Union, Washington, D.C. 829 Pp.
003 Unpb Rathert, J. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave, Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
004 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
005 Unpb Breeding Bird Survey. J.D. Wilson, Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
006 Birds Of Squaw Creek National Wildife Refuge. 1975. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. Rf-663560-2.
007 Comfort, J.F. 1975. A Checklist Of The Birds Of The August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area. Mo Dept Conserv and Webster Groves Nature Study Soc.
008 Welcome To Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge Pamphlet.
009 Rising, J., T. Pucci, N. Johnson, and R. Dawson. 1978. Birds Of The Kansas City Area. Burroughs Audubon Soc. Of Kansas City And The Shawnee Mission Environ Sci. Laboratory, Shawnee Mission South High School, KS. 46 Pp.
010 Heilbrun, L.H. 1978. 1977-1978 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 32(4):447-911.
011 Anderson, D. 1976. Spring Survey. Bluebird 43(1):17-22.
012 Anderson, D. 1973. Spring Survey. Bluebird 40(3):4-7.
013 Dawson, R. 1969. Notes On Annual Meeting. Bluebird 36(1) (Pages Not Numbered).
014 Hamilton, J.L. 1968. Summer Survey. Bluebird 36(2):15-19.
015 Willson, M.F. 1965. Breeding Ecology In The Yellow-Headed Blackbird. Ecol. Monogr.
016 Johnsgard, P.A. 1979. Birds Of The Great Plains. Univ. Of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebr. 539 Pp.
017 Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide To Birds Nests In The United States East Of The Mississippi River. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston 257 Pp.
018 Bent, A.C. 1958. Life Histories Of North American Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers, And Allies, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 211. 549 Pp.
019 Orions, G.H. 1980. Some Adaptations Of Marsh-Nesting Blackbirds. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, N.J. 295 Pp.
020 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
021 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
022 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
023 Willson, M.F. and G.H. Orions. 1963. Comparative Ecology Of Red-Winged And Yellow-Headed Blackbirds During The Breeding Season. 16th Int. Congr. Zool. Proc. 3. 342-346.
024 Fautin, R.W. 1940. The Establishment And Maintenance Of Territories By Theyellow-Headed Blackbird In Utah. Great Basin Nat. 1: 75-91.
025 Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
026 Gates, R.J. and A. Woolf. 1992. Ecology Of Waterfowl In Northeastern Illinois. Il Dept. Of Conservation. Final Report. Project W-102-R(Si). 206 Pp.
027 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
028 Homan, H.J., G.M. Linz, W.J. Bleier and R.B. Carlson. 1994. Dietary Comparisons Of Adult Male Common Grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds And Yellow-Headed Blackbirds In North-Central North Dakota. Prairie Nat. 26:273-281.
029 Best, L.B., K.E. Freemark, J.J. Dinsmore and M. Camp. 1995. A Review And Synthesis Of Habitat Use By Breeding Birds In Agricultural Landscapes In Iowa. Am. Midl. Nat. 134:1-29.
030 Picman, J. and A. Isabelle. 1995. Sources Of Nesting Mortality And Correlates Of Nesting Success In Yellow-Headed Blackbirds. Auk 112:183-191.
031 Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp.
032 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
033 Unpb Ehrhardt, E. 1996. Abundance And Distribution Of Waterbirds On Three Habitats Of Missouri River Floodplain Following A Major Flood. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 126 Pp.
034 Humburg, D.D., K. Bataille, D.L. Helmers and D.A. Brunet. 1999. Wetland Ecology Studies In The Missouri River Floodplain: Evaluation Of Seasonal Habitat Use By Waterbirds On The Missouri River Floodplain Mo Dept. Conserv. Final Rept. Proj. W-13-R-53, Study 18, Job 4. 130 Pp.
035 Horn, D.J. and R.R. Koford. 2000. Relation Of Grassland Bird Abundance To Mowing Of Conservation Reserve Program Fields In North Dakota. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 28(3):653-659.
036 Kantrud, H.A. and R.E. Stewart. 1984. Ecological Distribution And Crude Density Of Breeding Birds On Prairie Wetlands. J. Wildl. Manage. 48(2):426-437.