Yellow-headed Blackbird
The yellow-headed blackbird and red-winged blackbird are often found in the same habitat in the western United States, but yellow-headed blackbirds are the larger, more dominant species. They generally nest in deeper water near the center of larger wetlands, while red-winged blackbirds nest along the edges in shallower water.
They eat mostly aquatic insects in the summer and seeds in the winter months.
Both parents feed nestlings. Young leave the nest after about 9-12 days, but remain among dense marsh plants until they are ready to fly, about 3 weeks after hatching with usually one brood per year.
Yellow-headed blackbirds can generally be found West of the Mississippi River.
Yellow-headed Blackbirds are larger and more dominant than Red-winged Blackbirds, but they share the same area. Yellow-headed Blackbirds will nest in deeper water and the Red-winged Blackbird will stay closer to the shore.