The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a rare breeder in the CW Region. Preferred habitat includes high-water marshes with dense cattails or other emergent plants. This colonial species is poorly sampled by the BCN Survey, but long-term trends from the 2004 analysis estimate a 4% annual decrease. Colonies have abandoned many previous nesting locations during the past twenty years, and it can be very difficult to attract these birds back to a region once they leave. This species is sensitive to changes in water levels. Photo: © Eric Secker