• Tuesday-What'sUP May 16 - 07:43 am

I don't know about you, but in these parts of the U.P., I've never seen this bird before. So, when I spotted these photos from Tracy Ellis, I knew they had to be shared. Right away I typed, "Yellow head blackbird" in my Google search box and voila...I found it was a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Not a very original name, but it describes it perfectly. This bird normally doesn't show up here in the Keweenaw, but we're just on the outskirts of the territory it does breed in this time of year, so it's probably a straggler, who just lost his way temporarily. Tracy said it was the only one and I'm not sure how long he stayed around, but it was enough time for her to get a few photos, including the one of her dog watching the bird, as the bird was watching the dog. Funny...I wonder what they were both thinking of each other?

Tracy also mentioned that it had a real different call, almost sounding robotic she thought. If you click on this link, it will take you to the Cornel Lab of Ornithology, where there is a clip to listen to its call: Yellow-headed Blackbird song. Just scroll down to where it says: "Song, calls" and click on the right pointing arrow, to play. Enjoy!

Those yellow heads are out here, but we don't see them as much as the Red Wings. Have been doing a lot of bird watching lately. It's one of my favorite thing to do. Love the pictures! Thanks!

Wow, that does have a strange call. Almost sounds like it's mother was a chimp.
Thanks for the info.

Hi
Tracy, your dog so reminded me of the Alaskan Malamute that I used to have. Your dog's markings are a bit different but my Misty had that same expression.

Listening to the yellow-headed blackbird's call, I can hear a relation to the red-winged blackbird's call. Defintely enough of a difference that there won't be any dating mix-ups, though.

...and I wonder, do dogs eat birds? This one comes ready with mustard.
Nice pics!

I remember living in Red Jacket we had a pair of yellow-headed blackbirds in the feeders for quite a while in the spring before they moved on to some other place. I see more PastyCammers using the Cornell Lab's All About Birds site for information; isn't that a great website for birders??

At first i thought the bird had gotten into tar or something. I had never seen one either. Amazing. Very nice pics again today!!!

it's more of a screech if you ask me...cool pics!

The first yellow-headed blackbird I ever saw was in Calif. at a roadside park overlooking Mt. Whitney. I was intrigued by its appearance and 'call', so we went inside the park bldg. and I asked the person on duty what the blackbird with the yellow head was called and she said a "Yellow-headed Blackbird". Talk about feeling stupid.;)

Well, if that don't beat all. I have never seen a
yellow headed blackbird...the yellow head sure
makes him more interesting, for sure, almost
beautiful! What an interesting sound he makes.
Scary, actually, at least to me. Thanks so much
for today's photos and the write-up!

Don't feel bad Shirley, I stopped at a Chinese restaurant one time and a man was eating a bowl of soup I didn't recognize. I asked the waiter what that soup was and he replied, "That's our special soup." I said, "What do you call it" and he replied with a look of puzzlement "We call it Special Soup". Everyone in the place laughed.

And thanks Tracy for the great pictures.

I saw one in my backyard last week in Tamarack City.....looked in all my bird books and couldn't find it! Thanks for the info!!!

Well Dave, I never expect to be a candidate for a Mensa award, do you? ;)

Pretty bird.

Oh my gosh that bird is so cool. I would have flipped out if I saw it. Then for it to sit still long enough to take a picture, how great is that. Without a pic I bet nobody would have believed you! I will be keeping my eye out for one the next time I'm UP! Thanks for sharing this great group of pics.

Late getting back to Pasty Cam this week, so not sure anyone will see this. This bird's call is really weird. Hearing it made me think of the Great-Tailed Grackle. When I first moved to Dallas years ago and heard these birds everywhere, I thought, "what on earth?!": http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/great-tailed_grackle/id

Sounds like R2 D2