Red-shouldered blackbird

Red-shouldered blackbird
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Agelaius
Species:
A. assimilis
Binomial name
Agelaius assimilis
Range of A. assimilis

The red-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius assimilis), known in Cuban Spanish as mayito de la ciénaga (swamp mayito) or sargento cubano (Cuban sergeant) and turpial de hombros rojos (red-shouldered troupial),[2] is a species of passerine bird in the family Icteridae endemic to Cuba. It is similar to other species in the genus Agelaius, but recent research has established it as a separate species from the closely-related red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).[3]

The males are very similar to those of the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), while the females are completely black, similar to the males but without the red and yellow stripes on the wings.[4] In addition to having a different behavior, the sexual dimorphism in size and color of the plumage of the red-shouldered blackbird is less than that of the red-winged blackbird.[4][5][6]

It is found only in the wetlands of the island of Cuba. Although its reduced range covers only 4,100 square kilometres (1,600 sq mi), it has been classified as species of least concern.[2] In the absence of evidence of population decline or significant threats, their numbers are believed to be stable.[2]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Agelaius assimilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22729118A95006549. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22729118A95006549.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Red-shouldered Blackbird Agelaius assimilis". BirdLife International. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Red-shouldered Blackbird". Avibase. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference cornell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference whittingham1997 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Whittingham, Linda A.; Kirkconnell, Arturo; Ratcliffe, Laurene M. (1992). "Differences in Song and Sexual Dimorphism between Cuban and North American Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)". The Auk. 109 (4). American Ornithologists' Union: 928–933. JSTOR 4088178. Retrieved 18 February 2024.