Land Birds: Songbirds

Blackbirds, Bobolink, Cowbirds, Grackles, Meadowlarks, Orioles

The Icterids (23 species) have slender, pointed bills. Meadowlarks (2 species) inhabit grasslands and build domed nests on the ground. Cowbirds (3 species), blackbirds (5 species) and grackles (3 species) feed on grain and insects and are found in large, mixed flocks in open fields. Cowbirds are brood parasites. Orioles (9 species) sing beautifully; they eat insects, nectar and fruit. Their nest is a pendulous cup. Bobolink lives in grassy meadows. The female looks sparrow-like, male coloration is distinctive.