Aptly named, adult males are black with yellow head and breast, black lores, and white wing coverts that are especially obvious in flight. Immature males are duller overall, brownish black with a dusky yellow head. Females have a brown body with muted yellow head and lack white in the wings.

Length: 24 (cm) Wingspan: 38 (cm)

Voice:

Clanking, grinding, buzzing notes, gurgles, and whistles.

Habitat:

Wetlands, reeds, cattails, and associated open areas; prefers to nest in deeper marshes than other blackbirds, choosing nest sites closer to open water.

Behavior:

Male flares white wing patches and throws head skyward while singing. Breeds colonially; cup nest is woven to reed stems above water. Sometimes flocks with other blackbirds in winter.

Feeding:

Gleans foliage and forages on the ground; eats insects and seeds. Sometimes visits bird feeders.