When John J. Audubon found specimens of this bird in 1843, he thought he had found a new species native to the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. He named the bird Quiscalus breweri, though the moniker has nothing to do with beer. The bird was named after his friend, ornithologist Dr. Thomas M. Brewer. Turns out, the bird was already known to science. Johannes Wagler had named the bird in 1829 for its beautiful plumage that highlights a psychedelic blue-green and violet in the sun.

Is this the blackbird Paul McCartney heard singing in the dead of night? It very well may be. These birds love human-modified environments. You are very likely to see them on your lawn, golf course or in parks. They thrive in urban areas on small fruits, seeds and grains, and love to hang out in vacant lots where there are shrubs and trees to nest in.

Suggested Feeder Types: Ground, Platform, Hopper ,