Based on the description provided of a gray bird with a black tail and head, this bird most likely belongs to the icterid family of birds, specifically the genus Agelaius. The two most likely candidates are:
Red-winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a common sight across most of North America. The male has distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches (“epaulets”) edged with white, which are usually hidden under the wings when the bird is at rest. When the wings are spread, the bright red patches are easily seen.
Adult male red-winged blackbirds are all black otherwise, with a sharp, pointed bill. They have a thin pale yellow line above the eye. Females are streaky brown and tan, with a paler throat and stripe above the eye.
Both males and females have pointed tails that are black with white edging.
Identification Tips
- Bright red shoulder patches visible when the wings are spread
- Black body with white-edged tail on males
- Streaky brown body with pale throat stripe on females
- Conical pointed bill
- Common in open fields, marshes, and wetlands
Brewer’s Blackbird
The Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is very similar to the red-winged blackbird but lacks the bright red shoulder patches. Adult males are all black with a glossy bluish-purple head and breast. Females are brown-gray with a slight eye stripe.
Both males and females have a long, pointed bill and a long black tail with white edges on the feathers. In flight, the white edging is visible when the tail is fanned.
Identification Tips
- All black body with glossy blue-purple iridescence on head (males)
- Brown-gray body with pale eye stripe (females)
- Long tapered bill
- Long black tail with white edges
- Common in fields, forests, parks
Distinguishing Between the Two
While male red-winged blackbirds and Brewer’s blackbirds may look similar at first glance to the untrained eye, there are a few key differences to note:
| Red-winged Blackbird | Brewer’s Blackbird |
|---|---|
| Bright red shoulder patches (epaulets) | No red shoulder patches |
| Entire body black | Blue-purple iridescent head and breast (male) |
| Thinner bill | Long thick bill |
| More common in marshes and wetlands | More common in open fields and parks |
The table summarizes the main physical differences between male red-winged blackbirds and Brewer’s blackbirds. The bright red shoulder patches of the red-winged are the most obvious difference. Brewer’s blackbirds also have glossy blue-purple coloring on the head and breast. Brewer’s tend to have a longer, thicker bill and prefer more open habitats than marshes.
Conclusion
Based on the description of a grey bird with a black tail and head, this bird is most likely either a male red-winged blackbird or Brewer’s blackbird. Looking for key identification features like colored shoulder patches, bill shape, iridescent coloring, and habitat can help distinguish between the two similar species. Both are common icterid birds found throughout North America that share the distinctive black plumage with white-edged tails.
