Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
Red-winged blackbirds hang out here year round. This fellow repeatedly chortled his song as I took his picture and each time he did he displayed his wings. We thought he was showing off for nearby ladies but my Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior calls it a territorial display. Sort of a birdie version of “MySpace.”
I love that shoulder patch. It’s a great flash of color in winter.
The local red-winged blackbirds (agelaius phoeniceus) disappeared last year as the marshlands dried up. Now that we’ve had rains and the wetlands are full of water again they’re back and filling the air with their distinctive calls and songs.
They’re common birds, but the bright shoulder patches of the males are quite pretty when you have a look.