How Do You Spell AGELAIUS XANTHOMUS?

Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ɪd͡ʒle͡ɪəs zˈanθɒməs] (IPA)

Agelaius xanthomus is the scientific name for the yellow shouldered blackbird, a member of the icterid family. The spelling of Agelaius xanthomus follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which is used to represent the sounds of speech. Pronounced /əˈdʒiːleɪəs zænˈθoʊməs/, the first two syllables sound like "uh-JEE-lay-uhs," while the last two syllables are pronounced "zan-THO-muhs." The IPA transcription makes the pronunciation of scientific names of organisms easier for scientists and researchers across the globe.

AGELAIUS XANTHOMUS Meaning and Definition

1. Agelaius xanthomus refers to a species of bird commonly known as the Yellow-headed Blackbird. It is a passerine bird belonging to the family Icteridae, native to North America. The species is named after its striking yellow head, which is easily distinguishable from other blackbirds. This bird inhabits wetland areas, including marshes, bogs, and prairie potholes, throughout its range.

   The Yellow-headed Blackbird measures around 22-26 centimeters in length, with males being slightly larger than females. The male birds exhibit a distinctive appearance consisting of a bright yellow head, throat, and chest that contrasts with their black body feathers. In contrast, females have a duller brownish-black plumage with streaks of lighter colors. They have a thick conical beak, black wings, and a long tail.

   These birds are known for their loud, distinctive calls, which consist of a variety of guttural and melodic sounds. Their diet mainly consists of insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season, while they switch to seeds and grains in the winter.

   Agelaius xanthomus is a colonial breeder, known for nesting in large groups with other blackbird species. They construct cup-shaped nests from grasses and cattails, typically located in marsh vegetation just above the water surface. Females lay between 2-6 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks by both parents.

   The conservation status of the Yellow-headed Blackbird is considered to be of least concern, as the species maintains stable populations throughout its range. However, habitat degradation and loss pose potential threats to their future well-being.

Etymology of AGELAIUS XANTHOMUS

The etymology of the scientific name Agelaius xanthomus can be broken down as follows:

1. Agelaius: The genus name Agelaius is derived from the Greek word agelaios, which means belonging to a flock. This is in reference to the social nature of blackbirds, which are known to gather in large groups.

2. Xanthomus: The species name xanthomus is formed by combining two Greek words: xanthos, meaning yellow, and omos, meaning shoulder. This describes the distinctive yellow shoulder patch found in male specimens of the species.

So, the etymology of Agelaius xanthomus can be understood as blackbird with a yellow shoulder patch belonging to a flock.