The blackbirds of spring
In recent days, the blackbirds have arrived in our yard. Robins are the traditional harbingers of Spring, but they are unreliable, likely to show up in December or early January when even the thought of Spring seems remote. But when the blackbirds arrive, Spring is just around the corner.
The common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) arrive first, followed immediately by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). My wife doesn't like the grackles because they bully the other birds at the feeders but I like them for their oily black sheen and fierce yellow eyes. Cowbirds are dull looking and disreputable, with the unattractive habit of laying eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving their offspring to be raised by foster parents while they hang around the feeder all day admiring the grackles.
This year, a small flock of red-winged blackbirds stopped on their way through, spending a day at our feeders arguing and showing off. This time of year, red-winged blackbirds are often segregated by sex, and our visitors were all males. Male red-winged black birds are polygamous, gregarious and territorial. They lead a complicated life.
The cowbirds will move on when the weather warms up and the grackles will hang around until early summer. The flock of red-winged blackbirds is already gone, but we usually have a few take up residence and raise their families near the lake. Ah, Spring!
Edd, I like the lines of the fence and shadows of the trees in this photo. And your observation of the birds of spring is good news as we are anxious for it. We see red winged blackbirds around here all summer. We're about 15 miles west of Point Pelee National Park.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert--if any more migrating red-winged blackbirds show up here, I'll send them your way.
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