In the New World, any of several species of songbirds in the family Icteridae, collectively called icterids; also, an Old World thrush ( Turdus merula , family Turdidae).
The best known icterid is the red-winged blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), which ranges from Canada to the West Indies and Central America. It is 8 in. (20 cm) long, and the male's black plumage is set off by red shoulder patches. The Old World blackbird, 10 in. (25 cm) long, is common in woods and gardens throughout temperate Eurasia as well as in Australia and New Zealand. See also grackle .