the brewer's blackbird (euphagus cyanocephalus) is a medium-sized new world blackbird , named after the ornithologist thomas mayo brewer .
adults have a pointed bill .
adult males have black plumage; the female is dark grey .
the male has a bright yellow eye; the female's is dark .
they resemble the eastern member of the same genus , the rusty blackbird; however , the brewer's blackbird has a shorter bill and the male's head is iridescent purple .
this bird is often mistaken for the common grackle but has a shorter tail .
the call is a sharp check which is also distinguishable .
this bird is in a different family from the eurasian blackbird .
their breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas , often near water , across central and western north america .
the cup nest can be located in various locations: in a tree , in tall grass or on a cliff .
they often nest in colonies .
these birds are often permanent residents in the west .
other birds migrate to the southeastern united states and mexico .
the range of this bird has been expanding east in the great lakes region .
they forage in shallow water or in fields , mainly eating seeds and insects , some berries .
they sometimes catch insects in flight .
they feed in flocks outside of the breeding season , sometimes with other blackbirds .
file:brewer's blackbird puffed up .
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cyanocephalus male .
file:brewer's blackbird - female .
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cyanocephalus female .
file:euphagus cyanocephalus1.jpg|the iridescent purple head of the male is a distinguishing feature .
