Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus)

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

pale-eyed_blackbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Moyobamba, San Martin

pale-eyed_blackbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Peru

pale-eyed_blackbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Peru

pale-eyed_blackbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Peru


Identification & Behavior: ~21 cm (8.2 in). The male and female Pale-eyed Blackbird are solid black. The iris is pale. The bill is black and pointy. The tail is longish and square. It is similar to a Shiny Cowbird and a Solitary Black Cacique but is distinguished from them by having a pale eye and by being restricted entirely to marshy habitats around water. It can be rather vocal and often it is seen in singles or pairs, never in flocks.

Status: The Pale-eyed Blackbird is rare and local in a few locations along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Ec.

Name in Spanish: Tordo de Ojo Pálido.

Sub-species: Pale-eyed Blackbird (Agelasticus xanthophthalmus) (Short), 1969.

Meaning of Name: Agelasticus: Gr. Agelē= herd and agō= to lead. Or agelastikos= gregarious. xanthophthalmus: Gr. Xanthos= yellow and ophthalmos= eye.

See more of the Family Icteridae   peru aves

Distribution Map
pale-eyed_blackbirdVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 03/01/2016.