Icterid
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[Photo] Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus). Public domain from USFWS (http://klamathbasinrefuges.fws.gov/marsh.html)

The Icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The name, meaning "jaundiced ones" (from the prominent yellow feathers of many species) comes from the Ancient Greek ikteros, through the Latin ictericus.

This group includes such popular forms as the New World blackbirds, New World orioles, the Bobolink, meadowlarks, grackles, cowbirds, oropendolas and caciques.

Despite the similar names, the first groups are not related to the Old World Blackbird (a thrush, Turdidae), or the Old World orioles (Oriolidae).

Systematics
FAMILY ICTERIDAE

Genus Dolichonyx - Bobolink
Genus Agelaius - Typical American blackbirds (11 species)
Genus Nesopsar - Jamaican Blackbird
Genus Sturnella - meadowlarks (7 species)
Genus Xanthocephalus - Yellow-headed Blackbird
Genus Dives (3 species)
Genus Euphagus (2 species)
Genus Quiscalus - true grackles (5 living species, 1 recently extinct)
Genus Agelaioides - Bay-winged Cowbird (formerly in Molothrus)
Genus Molothrus - true cowbirds (5 species, includes Scaphidura)
Genus Icterus - New World orioles (25-30 species)
Genus Amblycercus - Yellow-billed Cacique
Genus Ocyalus - Band-tailed Oropendola (might include Clypicterus)
Genus Clypicterus - Casqued Oropendola
Genus Cacicus - true caciques (10 species)
Genus Psarocolius - true oropendolas (about 10 species, includes Gymnostinops)
Genus Gymnomystax - Oriole Blackbird
Genus Pseudoleistes - marshbirds (2 species)
Genus Amblyramphus - Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Genus Hypopyrrhus - Red-bellied Grackle
Genus Curaeus (2 species)
Genus Gnorimopsar - Chopi Blackbird
Genus Oreopsar - Bolivian Blackbird
Genus Lampropsar - Velvet-fronted Grackle
Genus Macroagelaius (2 species)

Prehistoric icterid genera that have been described from fossil remains are Pandanaris from the Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea and Pyelorhamphus from Shelter Cave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icterid

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