The Brewer's blackbird is not migratory but they do move around searching out new and more plentiful sources of food. They move into the Sierra Nevada range and the Cascades as the weather warms in these areas.
The Brewers Blackbird is a short distance migrant. Brewer's blackbirds are found year round in a variety of agricultural areas, prairies, and other upland habitats. They are sometimes seen in large flocks with other blackbirds. It is one of those rare species that is able to take advantage of urbanization. They especially like the large expanses of lawn and parking lots
In Canada the Brewers Blackbird breeds in the Provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. In the United States it breeds in Southern California, New Mexico, and Texas. And it winters north to British Columbia and the Carolinas.
After breeding the Brewers Blackbird usually builds an open cup low but will build the nest half way up a tree about 30 feet off the ground. They prefer to build their nest in juniper and lodge pole pine trees but will build their nest anywhere there are trees including towns, meadows and river sides. The nest is constructed of rough twigs, plant stalks, bark and held together with mud or manure. They line the nest with fine material like horse or cow hair.
After mating she lays three to seven greenish, white or gray eggs, marked with erratic streak and large blotches of sepia that hatch in about two weeks and fledge about two weeks later. The bird usually has one but occasionally two broods each year.
In spring and summer the Brewer's blackbird feeds mainly on arthropods like spiders, insects, snails and crustaceans. In the winter and fall they feed on seeds preferably on the ground in mostly moist or wet areas. Also they will eat some fruit for supplements. When fruit is ripe they do not hesitate to visit the orchards and do take their share of ripe cherries.
Go To Page: 1 2
