Hello Blackbird

I heard a beautiful song coming from a small pine tree yesterday. Perched on a branch, singing his heart out was a male Red-winged Blackbird. His whole body was thrown into the song, hoping to win the admiration of lady blackbirds. According to our bird guide, BIRDS OF COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA, “Whichever male the females determine is the finest becomes the sultan of his patch of marsh, presiding over a harem of females all raising his offspring within his area of defended territory.” Interestingly enough the female Red-winged Blackbird looks nothing like her male counterpart. Instead she resembles a large sparrow with streaky brown plumage, helping her to blend into the marshland setting (our beaver pond) with her nest.

We put out our hummingbird feeder today and almost immediately a Rufous Hummingbird arrived. And we saw our first Yellow-Rumped Warbler of the season, hunting for insects in the grass. Our cabin has become a busy place this spring, and we laugh to watch all the “fur and feather” creatures gathered in front… Sparrows, Jays, Blackbirds, Hummingbirds, and Red squirrels… and only an occasional squabble among them.

... P. L. Morningstar