Definition

Noun: 1. A New World passerine bird of the family Icteridae characterized by males having black or predominantly black plumage: This term refers to any bird belonging to the Icterid family (which includes blackbirds, orioles, cowbirds, grackles, and meadowlarks) found in the Americas, where the adult male of the species is notably black or mostly black in color.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The New World blackbird perched on the cattail is likely a male Red-winged Blackbird.
  • Ornithologists study the diverse songs and behaviors of the New World blackbird family.
  • That New World blackbird with the iridescent sheen is a Common Grackle.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in ornithology and birdwatching to categorize a specific ecological and taxonomic group, distinguishing them from unrelated "blackbirds" in other parts of the world (e.g., the Common Blackbird in Europe, which is a thrush).
• It often implies a focus on the bird's taxonomic family (Icteridae) and geographic origin (the Americas) rather than a single species.

Variants and Related Words

• Icterid (noun): The formal scientific term for any bird in the family Icteridae; a synonym for New World blackbird in a broad sense.
• Blackbird (noun): A common name that can cause confusion, as it may refer specifically to certain icterids (e.g., Red-winged Blackbird) or to entirely different birds in the Old World (family Turdidae).

Synonyms

• Icterid: A direct taxonomic synonym.
• American blackbird: A less formal but descriptive synonym emphasizing geographic range.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "New World blackbird" is a group name, not the name of a single species. It encompasses many species where the male fits the description.
• Key identifying features beyond color include a conical bill, strong legs for walking, and often a high degree of sexual dimorphism (males and females look different).
• Familiar examples include the Red-winged Blackbird (with red-and-yellow shoulder patches), the Brewer's Blackbird, the Rusty Blackbird, and the Common Grackle.

Noun

1. any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black