Title: Birds of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Identifier: birdsofyellowsto00foll (find matches)
Year: (197-?) ((190s)
Authors: Follett, Dick; Yellowstone Library and Museum Association; United States. National Park Service
Subjects: Birds; Birds
Publisher: (Yellowstone National Park) : Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, in cooperation with National Park Service, U. S. Dept. of Interior
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) In springtime, marshes and ponds in Yellowstone and Grand Teton re- sound with a medley of bird calls. Coots, ruddy ducks, diving ducks, rails, yellowthroats, marsh wrens, and blackbirds all join in the annual competition for mates and territory. One of the most striking bird inhabi- tants of this marshland environment is the male yellow-headed blackbird. The yellow head, neck, and chest, and the broad, white wing patch con- trast sharply with the black of the bird's body and tail. The male is most often seen perched in a conspicuous spot along the edge of a pond. From this location he utters a variety of harsh, unmusical notes and flits com- batively through the marsh defending his territory. The female is brownish with a wash of yellow on the breast and with a white throat and streaked lower breast. This species breeds in localized colonies throughout Yel- lowstone and Grand Teton.
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Western Tanager Joe Van Wormer EVENING GROSBEAK (Hesperiphona vespertina) The evening grosbeak is a handsome bird with a richly colored plumage and a powerful beak. The male is yellow with black wings and tail, while the female is gray with black wings and tail. Both sexes have large white wing patches, and the female has a yellowish cast across her back and upper breast and white in her tail. During the breeding season evening grosbeaks feed primarily on conifer seeds and wild berries. When the breeding season has been completed evening grosbeaks congregate in areas where they can feed upon the ripening chokecherries. During the winter flocks of evening grosbeak descend to lower elevations to feed on the seeds of seed-bearing trees such as the box elder. It is at this time that the grosbeaks powerful beak comes into play. The powerful, overlapping mandibles are used for shearing seeds off the trees. Evening grosbeaks are fairly common permanent residents in both parks. 54

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