Icterids make up a family (
Icteridae) of small to medium-sized, often colorful
passerine birds restricted to the
New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The family is extremely varied in size, shape, behavior and coloration. 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 the
New World blackbirds,
New World orioles, the
bobolink,
meadowlarks,
grackles,
cowbirds,
oropendolas and
caciques.
