Yellow-Headed Blackbird

Xanthocepahlus xanthocepahlus

Illinois State Endangered Species

The Yellow-Headed Blackbird is a small freshwater marsh bird that feeds on seeds and insects. It has a length of about 8.5 inches with a yellow head and chest and a black or dark brown body. This bird usually inhabits marshy habitats in the summer months and more open habitats in the winter months, and it tends to nest low to the ground or on the ground.

This bird appears to be declining in Corridor A of the Park Proposal. Total number of individuals reported in Corridor A for Cook County Nesting Season Bird Census declined from 14 (7 males) in 1986 (J. Landing) to 5 (5 males) in 1996 (W.Marcisz). In addition, there is a fairly stable population of 5 or more nesting territories at Egger's Woods Forest Preserve (Corridor D).

Wetlands with an interspersion of open water and emergent vegetation such as cattails, reeds, or bulrushes provide nesting habitat for yellow-headed blackbirds. Nests are built among vegetation only if there is water below. Feeding occurs both in the nesting wetlands and in nearby fields and mud flats... They have become less common in recent years because of the loss of suitable wetland habitat. Wetland drainage, development and succession toward closed marsh communities are the primary threats to this species.- taken from the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board's fact sheet on the Yellow-headed blackbird

The preservation of the Lake Calumet wetlands is necessary to ensure that habitat remains for the Yellow-headed Blackbird to continue to breed in the region.