Euphagus cyanocephalus

(Wagler, 1829)

Brewer's Blackbird

G5Secure Found in 285 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Near threatenedIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101341
Element CodeABPBXB5020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyIcteridae
GenusEuphagus
Other Common Names
Quiscale de Brewer (FR) Tordo Ojo Amarillo (ES)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-07
Change Date1996-12-04
Edition Date2014-11-25
Edition AuthorsJue, Dean K.
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Not a species of conservation concern globally.
Range Extent Comments
BREEDS: central interior British Columbia to western Great Lakes area, south to northwestern Baja California, southern Nevada, western and northern Texas, northern Iowa. WINTERS: southern British Columbia and central Alberta, eastern Montana, Kansas, Arkansas, western South Carolina south to Oaxaca and central Veracruz, southern Texas, Gulf coast, southern Florida. Birdlife International (2014) estimates a distribtuion size of over 5 million square kilometers.
Occurrences Comments
With a population estimate of 20 million (Partners in Flight, 2013) and a distribution across all of northern Canada and the western U.S. (Birdlife International, 2014), there are undoubtedly 81 or moree element occurrences for this species.
Threat Impact Comments
Extent of threat to populations on breeding and wintering grounds classed as ?minor? by Carter and Barker (1993). Not included on official wildlife agency lists of species of conservation concern (Atwood 1994). Code of Federal Regulations (1998) specifies Brewer?s Blackbird as one of approximately a dozen species that can be killed in absence of a Federal permit when birds are in the act or about to commit crop depredation. Laws of certain states regarding Brewer?s that are damaging agricultural crops may be more restrictive than federal regulations. Listed by Chavez-Leon (1995) as a species that can be legally taken for pet trade in Mexico (Martin, 2002).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Shrubby and bushy areas (especially near water), riparian woodland, aspen parklands, cultivated lands, marshes, and around human habitation; in migration and winter also in pastures and fields (AOU 1983). Nests in bushes and trees or on the ground, near open water, in marshes, fields, and urban areas.

Ecology

Often seen in large flocks; may forage with other blackbirds. In California, individuals were found up to 10 kilometers from nest in breeding season (Williams 1952); in Washington, found up to 1.6 kilometers from nest, although most foraged much closer (Horn 1968).

Reproduction

Clutch size is 3-7 (usually 5-6). Incubation lasts 12-14 days (Terres 1980). Young are tended by both adults, fly 13-14 days after hatching. Sometimes two broods are produced in one season. Males may be polygamous. Nests in loose colonies (3-20 pairs).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodShrubland/chaparralSavannaGrassland/herbaceousSand/duneCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDSCRUB-SHRUB WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5B,N5N
ProvinceRankNative
UtahS4Yes
New MexicoS4B,S5NYes
MinnesotaSNRBYes
GeorgiaS4Yes
North CarolinaS1NYes
IndianaSHB,S1NYes
OhioSNAYes
DelawareSNAYes
ColoradoS5B,S4NYes
OklahomaS4Yes
AlabamaS5NYes
ArkansasS5NYes
ArizonaS5Yes
MontanaS5BYes
LouisianaS4NYes
MississippiSNAYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
FloridaS3NYes
IllinoisS1Yes
Navajo NationS5B,S3NYes
MichiganS5Yes
IowaS2NYes
WisconsinS2BYes
South DakotaS4BYes
OregonS5Yes
WashingtonS5Yes
KansasSNAYes
IdahoS4Yes
NebraskaS4Yes
TexasS5Yes
WyomingS5B,S5NYes
KentuckySNAYes
MissouriSNAYes
North DakotaSNRBYes
TennesseeS3NYes
NevadaS4Yes
South CarolinaS2Yes
CanadaN5B,N4N
ProvinceRankNative
SaskatchewanS5B,SUNYes
ManitobaS4BYes
OntarioS2Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
AlbertaS4B,SUNYes
LabradorSUYes
Northwest TerritoriesS3Yes
Roadless Areas (285)
Alaska (1)
AreaForestAcres
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Arizona (7)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Black River CanyonApache-Sitgreaves National Forests11,817
Burro CanyonKaibab National Forest19,928
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Red PointKaibab National Forest7,139
California (111)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Barney RileyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,083
Bell MeadowStanislaus National Forest7,968
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black MountainLos Padres National Forest16,818
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Boundary Peak (CA)Inyo National Forest210,884
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Burnt Lava FlowModoc National Forest8,387
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle Crags AShasta-Trinity National Forest113
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest8,402
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
CuyamaLos Padres National Forest19,631
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
EbbettsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest255
FalesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,138
Fawn LakeEldorado National Forest1,153
Ferguson RidgeSierra National Forest6,104
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Grizzly PeakPlumas National Forest6,222
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Hall Natural AreaInyo National Forest5,236
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Twin LakesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest102
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. HoffmanModoc National Forest9,780
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
Mt. RebaStanislaus National Forest3,869
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mystic (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest836
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
North MountainStanislaus National Forest7,856
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Poison HoleEldorado National Forest2,627
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
Salt CreekAngeles National Forest11,022
Salt CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,505
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest6,511
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
Silver HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,423
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Tioga LakeInyo National Forest829
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
Trumbull PeakStanislaus National Forest6,164
WaterhouseStanislaus National Forest4,394
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Colorado (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
Idaho (10)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Montana (24)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest51,360
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Cherry LakesBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest19,945
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Fishtail SaddlebackCuster National Forest16,359
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Garfield MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest41,891
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Middle Mtn. / Tobacco RootsBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest96,487
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
VigilanteBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest15,893
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (27)
AreaForestAcres
Alta T - East BHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,732
Antelope - West 1Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,642
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Charleston - CarpenterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest17,828
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Deadhorse PointHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,305
Jarbidge - Biroth RdgHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,887
Jarbidge - Canyon CkHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,258
Jarbidge - Slide CkHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest752
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
MillerHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,043
Moriah - West SlopeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest14,737
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Ruby - MarshHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest10,164
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
ShellbackHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest36,455
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
Spanish PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest31,520
Table Mtn. - EastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest87,789
WallaceHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,208
West Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,028
WildhorseHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,204
New Mexico (6)
AreaForestAcres
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Frisco BoxGila National Forest38,979
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
Ryan HillCibola National Forest34,201
San Pedro ParksSanta Fe National Forest5,824
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
Oregon (21)
AreaForestAcres
BearwallowsDeschutes National Forest7,317
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
HomesteadWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,817
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
Sheep DivideWallowa-Whitman National Forest16,201
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (30)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418013Uinta National Forest14,643
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418017Uinta National Forest19,631
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418044Uinta National Forest5,495
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Bunker CreekDixie National Forest7,474
Capital ReefDixie National Forest763
Casto BluffDixie National Forest87,466
Circleville MountainFishlake National Forest24,142
Dairy ForkManti-Lasal National Forest30,222
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
Fishlake MountainFishlake National Forest25,217
Joe LottFishlake National Forest19,826
Lava BedsDixie National Forest14,944
Little CreekFishlake National Forest11,479
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
SanpitchManti-Lasal National Forest29,129
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
Steves MountainFishlake National Forest22,649
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Wayne WonderlandFishlake National Forest12,395
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Washington (12)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonOkanogan National Forest9,681
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest11,430
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
Wyoming (28)
AreaForestAcres
0401018Ashley National Forest6,157
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
Battle CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest5,890
Bear RocksBighorn National Forest25,023
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
East Fork EncampmentMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,445
Encampment River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest4,996
Gannett Hills - Spring CreekBridger-Teton National Forest45,462
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Hideout CreekBighorn National Forest10,096
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Little SnakeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest9,920
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Rock CreekBighorn National Forest48,657
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
South ForkShoshone National Forest64,903
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Sulphur CreekShoshone National Forest30,221
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (28)
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  26. Thompson, F. R., III. 1994. Temporal and spatial patterns of breeding brown-headed cowbirds in the midwestern United States. Auk 111:979-990.
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