Bonanza Bird #14: The Red-winged Blackbird

July 20, 2010 in Blackbirds and Birdorable Bonanza 2010 with 10 comments

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Red-winged Blackbird. Red-winged Blackbirds are closely related to orioles and grackles. Here in northern Illinois, where we live, Red-winged Blackbirds are an early sign of spring. They return to nest in our county each after spending the winter further south. Hearing the first Red-winged Blackbirds calling on territory with their distinctive "konkaREE!" cry always means warmer weather is on the way soon.

Red-winged Blackbird by Gary Grossman

What a Display! by vtpeacenik

Tomorrow's bird is an aerial forager who nests in cavities. Can you guess what it is?

Comments

dominic morrell on July 20, 2010 at 9:22 AM wrote:

I GIIIVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

dominic morrell on July 20, 2010 at 9:23 AM wrote:

[] |

Ashira on July 20, 2010 at 10:37 AM wrote:

Absolutely GORGEOUS! I love the flying one. C: Could it be some sort of flycatcher? A phoebe, perhaps? : D

dominic morrell on July 20, 2010 at 3:37 PM wrote:

did you mean forAger? if so, i say tree swallow.

Birdorable on July 20, 2010 at 3:41 PM wrote:

LOL Dominic, thanks for pointing out that unintended spelling error! There's no literature on this species' exploits in forgery. ;)

Ashira on July 21, 2010 at 9:12 AM wrote:

I saw that too. Hee hee. : D

A. on August 27, 2010 at 7:28 PM wrote:

Burrowing owl

lovey dovey on April 30, 2012 at 10:48 AM wrote:

I am totally obsessed with red-winged blackbirds! They are so beautiful!

Spurwing Plover on May 30, 2022 at 6:25 PM wrote:

I have seen lots of Red Wing Blackbirds they prefer the Farmland Areas and the use Willows for nesting

Spurwing Plover on June 11, 2022 at 6:06 AM wrote:

Onkaree Onkaree

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Birdorable Bonanza 2023 Starts on Monday

November 24, 2023

Get ready for our 15th annual Birdorable Bonanza, starting on Monday, November 27th! We're thrilled to continue our tradition of introducing an array of new birds during this special event. Over the years, our Birdorable Bonanzas have become a cherished tradition, and you can revisit the previous years'...

Busting a Bird Myth: Storks Deliver Babies

September 26, 2024

The myth that storks deliver babies is a charming, old tale rooted in folklore, but it has no basis in reality. Storks don’t actually deliver babies, of course! This idea likely arose from a combination of the bird’s natural behavior and ancient symbolism. The popularity of the myth originates...

Flamingo FAQs

September 17, 2018

We're celebrating flamingos this week! Let's learn about these pink beauties -- here are some frequently asked questions about flamingos. Why do flamingos stand on one leg? The true reason that flamingos often stand one leg has long been debated. One popular theory is that a bird can conserve body...

2024 Birdorable Bonanza Bird #15

Meet the Spinifex Pigeon: Australia’s Flashy Desert Specialist

December 2, 2024

Today we're concluding our 2024 Birdorable Bonanza with a spectacular new addition to our pigeon and dove family: it's the Spinifex Pigeon! The Spinifex Pigeon is a unique and striking bird native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. With its distinctive appearance and ability to...

Birdorable Blog