Blackbirds & Meadowlarks

3 species

All groups

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater

MediumCommon

A stocky blackbird that never builds a nest, never incubates an egg, and never
feeds a chick. Every cowbird alive was raised by another species.

Spring through fall; some remain in winter Open ground, woodland edges, feeders, anywhere other birds are nesting Its call is recorded in the field guide
Open the field guide
Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus

MediumAbundant

The sound of a marsh waking up. By late winter the males are already back and
already arguing.

Year-round, conspicuous from February Cattails, marsh edges, wet meadow Its call is recorded in the field guide
Watch the video Open the field guide
Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta

MediumRare at Oaks Bottom — one record; common east of the Cascades

Oregon's state bird, and the sound of open country. More often heard from a fence
post than seen — and at Oaks Bottom, barely seen at all.

⭐ **Jonathan has recorded it here once**, standing on snow. Photographing the
state bird in Oregon's largest city took a hard winter to arrange.

Here, a winter bird — recorded once, on snow Open grassland and field edges — not woodland; at Oaks Bottom, open ground in hard weather Its call is recorded in the field guide
Open the field guide