CLOSED: Red-Winged Blackbird

Construction at the nearby wetlands has displaced many birds that I used to photograph in their habitat. The first photo is a red-winged blackbird I first saw out at the wetlands, and I was entranced by their call. We now have one nesting in our back yard, and he's quite fun to watch. He's completely unafraid of me, and accompanied me by perching at my height on the ladder as I refilled the bird feeders - talking all the while. I've noticed, though, that the red and yellow shoulder badges aren't nearly as prominent on this bird as I've seen in the many RWBB photos I've admired in the past. Is this perhaps an immature bird, or am I just not quick enough with the camera to catch his wings unfurled?

It's probably immature...maybe a 1st or 2nd year male. I know the patches vary and the red isn't always visible, even on adults. Very young males look more like females. As they age they can look a little like a cross between the males and females.

This link is pretty good as it talks about some of the variations in Red-winged and Tri-color Blackbirds plumage plus has some pictures.

http://www.birdfellow.com/journal/2013/04/24/a_closer_look_plumage_variation_in_red_winged_blackbirds


Also, since you've been enjoying their songs so much, I thought you might enjoy this Audubon link if you haven't already seen it. Down at the bottom of the page are more of their songs/calls than I've seen other places...15 of them!

http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-winged-blackbird

Audubon's online field guide has great info on other birds as well and and their picture at the top of the page for each bird is beautiful!


This message was edited May 24, 2015 12:30 PM

Oh thanks - this helped so much. I've always been uncertain as to what "breeding plumage" actually means. In the RWBB photos I usually see, these birds are puffed out at the shoulders, making the color bands clearly prominent. So I suppose I can assume that these guys (there are about four of them) are just less mature than the ones with the flashy brilliant colors that I see in photos. I appreciate all the feedback. I've seen so many new birds over the last few days, it seems I'm the only person posting with questions. So glad you're all here, and are being so helpful!

Yep, a first-summer male.

Resin