0 the brewer's blackbird (euphagus cyanocephalus) is a medium-sized new world blackbird , named after the ornithologist thomas mayo brewer .
1 adults have a pointed bill .
2  adult males have black plumage; the female is dark grey .
3  the male has a bright yellow eye; the female's is dark .
4  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 .
5  this bird is often mistaken for the common grackle but has a shorter tail .
6  the call is a sharp check which is also distinguishable .
7  this bird is in a different family from the eurasian blackbird .
8 their breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas , often near water , across central and western north america .
9  the cup nest can be located in various locations: in a tree , in tall grass or on a cliff .
10  they often nest in colonies .
11 these birds are often permanent residents in the west .
12  other birds migrate to the southeastern united states and mexico .
13  the range of this bird has been expanding east in the great lakes region .
14 they forage in shallow water or in fields , mainly eating seeds and insects , some berries .
15  they sometimes catch insects in flight .
16  they feed in flocks outside of the breeding season , sometimes with other blackbirds .
17  file:brewer's blackbird puffed up .
18 jpg|e .
19  cyanocephalus male .
20  file:brewer's blackbird - female .
21 jpg|e .
22  cyanocephalus female .
23  file:euphagus cyanocephalus1.jpg|the iridescent purple head of the male is a distinguishing feature .
