![]() They were formerly rare breeders in western Washington, but the proliferation of hardwood trees in residential areas has resulted in an increase in Bullock's Orioles in the western part of the state. They sometimes damage their own eggs in the process, but the benefit of this behavior far outweighs the cost. The Bullock's Oriole is one of the few bird species that will puncture and eject Brown-headed Cowbirds' eggs. Significant long-term population declines have been recorded in western North America, but there are no significant population trends in Washington at this time. Pesticides also pose direct and indirect threats to Bullock's Orioles. ![]() Females generally build the nests and incubate the eggs, and males help feed the young.īullock's Orioles are widespread and common in appropriate habitat, but much of their streamside forest habitat is at risk in Washington due to demands on groundwater from irrigation. Many members of this family are polygynous. Most build open-cup nests in trees, shrubs, or on the ground. Blackbirds also use this technique to get into fruits and some insects, and to reach insects that are cocooned inside wrapped leaves. They insert their long, slender bills into the ground, and then open their bills to get at underground insects. These birds generally forage on the ground where they are well adapted for a behavior called gaping. They often forage in agricultural areas, where they can be considered pests. Blackbirds live in open habitats and eat seeds, grain, and insects. Most blackbird species form flocks at certain times of the year, and many form multispecies flocks. ![]() Many are partly to entirely black, often with iridescence or bright markings of some sort. This New World family of medium and large songbirds is very familiar, as most species are common inhabitants in human-altered settings.
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