Cover for the Songbirds of the Southwest ~ Vol 1 Calendar

Taken in Marana, AZ October 2009

This species appears to be related to meadowlarks. It nests only in freshwater marshes, where its long legs and large feet are ideal for walking on mud and floating vegetation; it also forages in open fields and feedlots with grackles and other black birds. Looking for insects,larvae,snails,grain, and seeds.

Highly gregarious this bird breeds in colonies and forms large flocks numbering in the thousands. Extremely territorial, the yellow-head will attack other birds and even humans who intrude on it’s territory.

Found in summer in cattails around lakes and ponds. Winters in agricultural fields and roosts in marshy borders of ponds and feedlots.

VOICE is an unmusically, raspy song beginning with a few loud, harsh notes and ends in a long, descending buzz resembling the sound of a chainsaw. Compared by some to resemble the robot in the Star Wars films R2D2. Call note is a hoarse croak.