Red-winged Blackbirds, A New Yardbird by Ro Wauer Redwings are
abundant this time of year, usually in huge flocks, and often
occurring in mixed flocks of blackbirds, including cowbirds and
grackles. So, seeing one of these birds in my yard on Christmas
morning was hardly a surprise. But when I checked my
comprehensive yard bird list, lo and behold it was a new one,
bringing the total list of yardbirds to 175 species. The red-
winged blackbird is sexually dimorphic, that is the plumage of
males is different than that of females. Adult male redwings are
all-black except for a bright red shoulder patch. Adult female
redwings are dark brown and heavily streaked with whitish lines
on the throat and chest and an eyeline. During the nesting
season they frequent wetlands, especially areas of cattails, but
in winter they can be found almost anywhere. Although they roost
in cattail areas when available, oftentimes in huge flocks, they
leave each morning for open fields and pastures where they feed
on seeds and insects t