This female Yellow-headed Blackbird is one of several females (sometimes up to 8) attracted to a male's small territory among the reeds in the marsh. The scientific name for Yellow-headed Blackbird is Xanthocephalus, which means "yellow head" (All About Birds). Now say that three times real fast . . .

A Yellow-headed Blackbird takes off from last year's reed to find a better spot to call out for a mate. You're a beauty so you shouldn't have too difficult of a time. Good luck Yellowhead!

After vacationing in the southwest US or Mexico for the winter, Yellow-headed Blackbirds have returned to their breeding grounds in northern Illinois. It's great to once again see these wonderful birds that have so much character, one of my favorites. Welcome back!

How about having an endangered (in Illinois) yellow-headed blackbird staring right at you? Okay, that will do. Hello Yellow!

The Yellow-headed Blackbird is on the endangered list in Illinois, so it was quite a treat to observe and capture this beauty (male) in the reeds and cattails of Goose Lake in northern Illinois this past June . . .