The Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) is an icterid bird of southern South American wetlands.

This species is about 24 cm long. The bill is oddly shaped: long, slender, and very sharp, looking almost upturned. Adults of both sexes are described by their name. Juveniles have entirely black plumage; orange-red feathers first appear on their breast and throat, later spreading to the neck, head, and thighs. The song is given as "loud, clear, and melodic, a ringing 'cleer-cleer-clur, clulululu'." Calls are simpler but have a similar quality.^[2]

Scarlet-headed Blackbirds occur in pairs in large reed beds in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina; Bolivia has an isolated population at altitudes up to about 600 m. They often perch conspicuously on top of stems. They are uncommon, particularly away from the coast.^[2]

They eat mainly fruit, supplementing it with seeds and invertebrates, especially insects. They use their bill as a hammer to open food items.^[3]

Scarlet-headed Blackbirds are monogamous, and territories are grouped together. The nest is an open cup placed in the crotch of a shrub or woven into vegetation, in which they lay two eggs.^[3]

References

1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Amblyramphus holosericeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106009726. Retrieved 16 July 2012. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Ridgely, Robert S.; Tudor, Guy (1989). The Birds of South America: The Oscine Passerines. University of Texas Press. pp. 345. ISBN 0-292-70756-8. http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0292707568. Retrieved 2007-02-19. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Scarlet-headed blackbird". Meet the Animals. Toronto Zoo. http://www.torontozoo.com/Animals/details.asp?AnimalId=499. Retrieved 2007-02-19. 

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