Female Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Male vs Female Identification)

There’s no better name for a male “yellow-headed blackbird” – they are, simply, yellow-headed blackbirds. But what about women? Female yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) share the same yellow head and black plumage as males of the species? Our guide will help you become an expert at identifying female yellow-headed blackbirds.

The female yellow-headed blackbird is a medium-sized songbird with a dark brown body and pale yellow plumage on the breast, neck, and throat. They are not as prominently saffron yellow and glossy black as the males of this species.

Female yellow-headed blackbirds are smaller and lighter than males, but these sociable wetland birds can be distinguished by more than just appearance. There are also important differences in mating, nesting and migratory behavior between female and male yellow-headed blackbirds.

To learn more about these differences, you’ll find our complete guide to the female yellow-headed blackbird below.

Yellow-headed blackbird females are brown instead of the black males

How do you know if a yellow-headed blackbird is male or female?

Male and female yellow-headed blackbirds are not alike at all, so the sexes can be distinguished very simply.

As the species name suggests, males are black with a striking yellow head. White wing spots can be seen in flight. Females, by contrast, are dark brown rather than glossy black, and their yellow is much lighter and more prone to fading than the males.

female yellow-headed blackbird

male yellow-headed blackbird

What does a female yellow-headed blackbird look like?

The female yellow-headed blackbird has a brownish-gray body with a pale yellow feather on the throat and upper breast. They have pale yellow stripes on their faces above the eyes and yellow markings around their dark black beaks.

Like males, females have dark black legs and olive-brown irises.

Close-up of a female yellow-headed black bird with an insect in its beak

size difference

Female yellow-headed blackbirds are smaller than males in every way, including body length, mass and even beak size.

Female yellow-headed blackbirds are about 50 mm (2 inches) shorter than males, averaging 215 mm (8.5 inches) compared to 265 mm (10.4 inches) for males.

Females lose weight during the breeding season, but regain weight once the pups leave the nest. Breeding females weigh an average of 51 grams (1.8 ounces), compared to 60 grams (2.1 ounces) at other times of the year. Males can weigh up to 100 grams (3.5 ounces).

Measurements vary by season, with female bills recorded decreasing from 19 mm (0.74 in) in June to 18.5 mm (0.72 in) in August, while the corresponding measurements were 22.2 mm (0.87 in) ) and 21.6 mm (0.89 in) in males.

Yellow-headed blackbird (female) perched on a power line

behavioral difference

The breeding habits of the yellow-headed blackbird are particularly interesting, with males establishing territories and forming their own “harem” of up to eight females. These females then build nests in his territory.

Males actively defend the territory from other males, while females defend the area around their nest.

While males are otherwise busy with other female partners, it is not uncommon for female yellow-headed blackbirds to mate with males in neighboring territories.

call and sing

Female yellow-headed blackbirds are less vocal than males. Females have only one song and four different calls. Males have a broader repertoire, with two distinct songs and six calls.

Females have higher pitched voices than males.

Males are easily distinguished by their black feathers – pictured here is a singing male yellow-headed blackbird

nesting and feeding

The female yellow-headed blackbird chooses a suitable nesting spot in the male’s territory and builds a nest alone. Males stay nearby and will chase away any intruders.

Incubation and initial brooding is done by females alone, who leave the nest to forage rather than being fed by a mate on the nest.

Once the young yellow-headed blackbirds hatch, they will continue to be hatched and fed by the female until they reach 4 days of age. After this point, the male may or may not assist in feeding the young. Male participation depends on whether the female is their primary or secondary partner.

The female continues to feed the young after eclosion, and the male also participates, unless the nest is outside his territory, in which case only the female feeds them.

Male and female yellow-headed blackbirds eat different diets depending on the time of year. Research shows that females forage more insects and small grains in spring than seeds and grains favored by males.

Later in the year, females turn to focus more on weeds, while males hunt for sunflower seeds and small pellets.

Female yellow-headed blackbird in flight

birds similar to the female yellow-headed blackbird

From a distance, female red-winged blackbirds may be confused with female yellow-headed blackbirds, but closer inspection should tell the difference.

Both birds are roughly the same size and beak shape, and both are the same dark brown color. However, female red-winged blackbirds have distinctly light-colored stripes on their bodies.

Can female yellow-headed blackbirds raise offspring alone?

The female is primarily responsible for raising the young alone, from nest selection through the fledgling stage. Male yellow-headed blackbirds do not incubate eggs, and may not always be involved in feeding their young.

They breed with a few females and are only routinely involved in feeding their offspring in the main nest — and even then, their help usually doesn’t begin until about four days after hatching.

Territorial males protect the nest from predators, so solitary female yellow-headed blackbirds may face a greater threat of disturbance if a mate is not around.

Close-up of a perched female yellow-headed black bird

common problem

What color is a female yellow-headed blackbird?

Female yellow-headed blackbirds are not really black, but a dull taupe. They have yellowish markings on their heads, throats, and upper breasts, not as vivid as the gold in males.

Do female yellow-headed blackbirds call?

Female yellow-headed blackbirds can make four different calls, including “Check‘Contact number and’scream‘ alarm call to warn predators.

Can female yellow-headed blackbirds sing?

A female yellow-headed blackbird has only one vocalization equivalent to the male’s song — a high-pitched, rapid chatter. While not particularly musical, it can be heard during nesting and when the female leaves the nest during incubation.

Are female yellow-headed blackbirds territorial?

Several female yellow-headed blackbirds nest in the same territory, which is defined by the males with whom they mate. Males are polygamous, mating with up to eight females in the same season.

Females will aggressively defend the area around their nest, but not the wider territory.