Blackbirds - Ictéridés 

This family is sometimes called icterids or troupials. The family for the most part consists of blackbirds, orioles, grackles, cowbirds, and a few others. In Niagara, 11 species have been seen over the years. This includes the following regular inhabitants: Baltimore Oriole, Bobolink, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, Eastern Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird, and Rusty Blackbird. Other species occasionally come through the area: Brewer's Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, and Yellow-headed Blackbird which was spotted in Niagara Falls this year. 

Did you know ???

Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites. Females lay eggs inside nests of other bird species instead of her own nest.