Jack Dykinga / Yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) and Redwing blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) roosting. Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, Arizona, USA, December.

Jack Dykinga / Murmuration of Yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) and Redwing blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) at sunset, before roosting. Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, Arizona, USA, December.

Bernard Castelein / Yellow-rumped cacique (Cacicus cela) calling, Madidi NP, Bolivia

Marie Read / Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) male displaying in cattail marsh, Viera Wetlands, Brevard County, Florida, USA, January.

Marie Read / Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) male perched in pear (Pyrus sp.) blossom, eastern redbud in background, New York, USA. May.

Donald M. Jones / Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) male calling, Montana

Kim Taylor / Slow motion clip of a male Common blackbird (Turdus merula) bathing in a birdbath, Surrey, England, UK, October.

Dave Bevan / Male Blackbird (Turdus merula) catching European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers as they migrate up a waterfall, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, July.

Dave Bevan / Male Blackbird (Turdus merula) catching European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers as they migrate up a waterfall, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, July.

Konrad Wothe / Male Blackbird (Turdus merula) singing, Bavaria, Germany, April.

Alan Murphy/ BIA / Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) male, Texas

Dave Bevan / Female Blackbird (Turdus merula) feeding chicks at nest, removing faecal sacs, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK, June.