Red-winged Blackbird - female

Species: Red-winged Blackbird - female (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Family: Icteridae
Date: 7.9.15

Observation:

I went down to the Muddy Branch at the north end of our property last night and was greeted by the alarm call of many blackbirds who did not appreciate my presence.  The female with the grasshopper (I think) in her mouth kept a very close eye on me.  After a few minutes things quieted down as the birds became a little more relaxed, as long as I didn't move around much.



A Few Facts:

Red-winged Blackbirds are highly polygynous - some males may have up to 15 females mates.  Not surprisingly, males spend a great deal of their time defending their territory (roughly a quarter of the daylight hours).  Studies have shown that typically one-quarter to one-half of the nestlings are sired by someone other than the territorial male.  


Learn more at All About Birds - Red-winged Blackbird