Red-winged Blackbird

Though the American Robin is considered a harbinger of spring despite frequently being spotted in the middle of winter, here's someone who's probably a more accurate harbinger of spring (at least around me): the Red-winged Blackbird.

This is a male on a high perch singing to help establish a territory. If he's lucky, a small number of females will be interested in him and his territory, and will breed with him. Despite having a territory of his own, males are still usually part of a loose colony, and multiple males will help drive out threats real (Great Blue Heron) or imagined (me and my camera).

They don't have a really close relative around here, though the west coast has a Tricolored Blackbird that's clearly a close relative.

Spring 2021 at Duke Farms


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