Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles (12)

Baltimore Oriole
An uncommon winter visitor, September - April, that sometimes form winter roosts with up to 20 birds. Formerly known as Northern Oriole; they seem to prefer suburban areas. The LCBC high count of 21 was in 2010.

Bullock’s Oriole
This mainly Western bird is quite rare in Florida. We have a couple of records, last reported in Winter Haven in 1998. The two orioles were for a time lumped together and known as the Northern Oriole.

Orchard Oriole
A rare migrant last seen in Lake Alfred in 1997.

Yellow-headed Blackbird
A rare winter visitor, one was seen on September 19, 1999 near Bradley Junction and the last in Winter Haven in 2008. The LCBC high count of 2 was in 1995.

Red-winged Blackbird *
A common resident throughout the region especially in the winter, when flocks of hundreds can be seen. They like to nest in cattails. A high count of 2,000 was reported in November 1997. The LCBC high count of 5,370 was in 1983.

Photo: Herman

Eastern Meadowlark *
A fairly common resident of open spaces and fields of the region. Meadowlarks were formerly quite common but now seem less evident. The LCBC high count of 181 was in 1967.

Photo: C L Geanangel

Boat-tailed Grackle *
A very common resident of wetlands and nearby areas. Flocks of a hundred or more are common in the winter. The LCBC high count 3,986 was in 1986.

Common Grackle *
A common bird of the more urban parts of the region but found everywhere. In winter, utility lines can hold thousands of birds in enormous flocks. The LCBC high count of 10,820 was in 2000.

Rusty Blackbird
This species was formerly an uncommon winter visitor of our swamps, but they had been unreported in the County for at least ten years and perhaps longer. One reported in the Green Swamp in January, 2012. The LCBC high count of 60 was in 1972.

Bronzed Cowbird
They were found locally only at the Skyview Golf Course in Lakeland, late November-early April. Six or more birds were seen there from 1990 to 2005. A maximum number of 21 was counted in December 1999. The LCBC high count of 21 was in 1999. They had not been seen in the County since 2005 until they were rediscovered in Lakeland in 2010.

Brown-headed Cowbird *
A common resident of the County, formerly absent in the summer but becoming more abundant in every season. They form large flocks after breeding season that can exceed 4,000 individuals. These birds are parasitic nesters. The LCBC high count of 5,315 was in 1993.

Bobolink
An uncommon migrant in April/May, August/ September, of fields and PPM. Flocks of hundreds can be sometimes be found. The high count is 3,400 in a PPM in April 1996.