Icterid
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24 genera, see text |
The Icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Somewhat ironically, the name comes from the Greek ikteros, through the Latin ictericus, meaning jaundiced.
This group includes the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Despite the similar names, the latter groups are not related to the Old World Blackbird, which is a thrush (Turdidae), or the Old World orioles (Oriolidae).
Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red.
[edit] Systematics
FAMILY ICTERIDAE
- Genus Dolichonyx - Bobolink
- Genus Agelaius - American blackbirds (11 species)
- Genus Nesopsar
- Jamaican Blackbird, Nesopsar nigerrimus
- Genus Sturnella - meadowlarks (7 species)
- Genus Xanthocephalus - Yellow-headed Blackbird
- Genus Dives
- Cuban Blackbird, Dives atroviolacea
- Melodious Blackbird, Dives dives
- Scrub Blackbird, Dives warszewiczi
- Genus Euphagus (2 species)
- Genus Agelaioides (formerly in Molothrus)
- Bay-winged Cowbird, Agelaioides badius
- Genus Icterus - New World orioles (25-30 species)
- Genus Amblycercus
- Yellow-billed Cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus
- Genus Psarocolius - true oropendolas (about 10 species, includes Gymnostinops)
- Genus Ocyalus
- Band-tailed Oropendola, Ocyalus latirostris
- Genus Gymnomystax
- Oriole Blackbird, Gymnomystax mexicanus
- Genus Pseudoleistes - marshbirds
- Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Pseudoleistes guirahuro
- Brown-and-yellow Marshbird, Pseudoleistes virescens
- Genus Amblyramphus - Scarlet-headed Blackbird
- Genus Hypopyrrhus
- Red-bellied Grackle, Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster
- Genus Curaeus
- Austral Blackbird, Curaeus curaeus
- Forbes' Blackbird, Curaeus forbesi
- Genus Gnorimopsar
- Chopi Blackbird, Gnorimopsar chopi
- Genus Oreopsar
- Bolivian Blackbird, Oreopsar bolivianus
- Genus Lampropsar
- Velvet-fronted Grackle, Lampropsar tanagrinus
- Genus Macroagelaius
- Golden-tufted Grackle, Macroagelaius imthurni
- Mountain Grackle, Macroagelaius subalaris
Prehistoric icterid genera that have been described from fossil remains are Pandanaris from the Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea and Pyelorhamphus from Shelter Cave.
[edit] References
- Jaramillo, Alvaro & Burke, Peter (1999): New World Blackbirds. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-4333-1
[edit] External links
- Icterid videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Icteridae at the Tree of Life Web Project
