The back shows 2 rows of whitish or yellow-buff spots or bars, but this patterning is very limited in northern birds. Adult: red head and breast, pale yellow belly, back black with geographically ...

The yellow-headed blackbird ... near the red-winged blackbird. They form large flocks in the winter to forage in fields, ranches, and farms. If you see a vocal little bird with a black face ...

Monotypic (smaller, darker resident birds in southern ... Shows less red on head than related red-naped and red-breasted, and the back is more extensively scalloped with yellow-buff.

Scientists say the yellow coloring on the bird is connected to lacking proteins, or enzymes. “It’s actually two enzymes. It requires a two-step process for a cardinal to be red,” Hill said.