I’ve had the chance lately to see some red-winged blackbirds up close. They have entertained me as I’ve been kayaking past. They are a familiar sight in Ontario, but I haven’t been able to get close enough to take their photos before.
Male red-winged blackbirds are easier to spot than the females. They have red and yellow “shoulder” patches along with a jet black body.
In comparison, the females are brownish and have streaked breasts. They are harder to identify.
The male will mate with more than one female during the breeding season. He defends his territory and can be aggressive in their nesting territory.
Their nests are built by the female, and are made in the shape of a cup. They are hard to see because the nest is usually close to the water in marsh growth. I haven’t seen one yet. It looks like the male is singing, but I think he is actually scolding me for getting too close.
