Learn something every time.... When you said milo I had to Google it because Milo is a chocolate flavored drink in Africa and sorghum is what the seed is called here 🤣
I live in northwest Wisconsin, USA, and the red-winged blackbirds are among the first to arrive in the Spring, delight me for not nearly long enough, and the first to migrate south again. They nest in my hay fields and are greatly missed when they’re gone.
one of my favorite birds! a sure sound of spring. they nest near my house, in the wetlands of old bogs and ponds, and i often see them by the salt marshes too. never in such numbers to be pests though. i find it pretty easy to spot the females, not just by their size but also because their cheeks seem more rounded than other species. after seeing this, i think i'll put some food in the birdfeeders a little earlier this year.
Love the Redwings, they always visit our feeder... didn't know the females looked different!. Love your videos, always learn something new...and I've been birding a LOOOOONG time. It's awesome to learn from the younger generation 💓. Thank you.
Fearless winged warriors!! I love that. And yes, I've seen it many times. It's such a sight to see too. Unfortunately, they pick on my crows at work. I feed a small family of crows at my job, and they will dive bomb them and harass them all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I love the redwings just as much as the crows. Lol!!
Love love love this!! Thank you for putting this together. I love Red Wing Black Birds. I miss them so much already. They left the middle of August 😢 When I would bring my feeders out in the morning, they'd sit in the tree patiently waiting, doing their check call. It would make me smile hearing them all check check checking me as I put the food out. Lol!! It's been so quiet without them and all the other birds lately. It feels alittle sad. Anyway, I'm so happy you made this. Alot of people on the fb pages are always complaining about all the black birds. Maybe they'll see them in a different way. Ole one leg made me see them in a new light. I adore them. I love their bill and eyes, they look like they are smiling if you look at them from the side. So cute!! 😍 they are the first to get here in the spring, well actually it's still winter when they arrive. Normally it's the last week of February. Oh let me tell you. The first site and sound of them you can feel the emotions rise with happiness. It's a nice reminder that warmer days will come. 😊
You are so welcome Chris. Red-winged Blackbirds are such cool birds, and I love that you got familiar with one in particular. I hope Ole One Leg comes back to see you again in Spring. It's something else when you can recognize individuals. I know how you feel about missing them, those, along with the White-throated sparrow, Hermit Thrush and Robin make me so sad when I don't hear them calling anymore because they've left for the winter. Always so nice to see them again in Spring though. :)
I live in northern NJ and for the past few years now we've been getting a huge flock of redwings, grackles, starlings, and cowbirds in the winter. I believe it's the same flock each time, so it makes me feel good that our house has become an annual stop on their winter migration.
I live in central Alberta, Canada. I get so excited when I hear the first spring songs of the red winged blackbirds. They are a delight and more than welcome at my feeders
One of my favourites! I love seeing them in the Spring and the antics of the males. I've watched males chase off everything from Turkey Vultures to Great Blue Herons. Sadly, the ones in my area have long since migrated South. Looking forward to seeing next Spring. Thanks for sharing and happy birding!
Red-winged blackbirds are wonderful~ I can see them at a local park, and the red and orange marks are sooo beautiful~💞 Thank you for sharing this video~🤗
I miss seeing these guys from when I lived in Duluth, MN. I took a lot of walks around somewhat swampy ground and they were all through the reeds guarding their little patch of territory. They really didn't seem to care much when I went walking by 5-10 feet away. I loved it when someone with a dog went by and the blackbirds would zip out and dive bomb the dog. Poor things hardly knew what was hitting them on the back. Fun to watch. I did see one this past spring migrating through with a large flock of grackles that stopped by to eat some seed I spread out on the deck for the migrants. Didn't get a picture but I was happy to see him. Thanks Lesley!
Oh my gosh, that is too funny. I haven't witnessed them dive bombing yet but what you described sounds so adorable. The dog is like what they heck is that, haha! You are so kind to sprinkle some food out for the birds when they are migrating through. Thanks for watching!
Nice to hear their call again! Here in north central Wisconsin, we haven't seen them in many weeks. 😔I guess they migrated south earlier than other birds? We really like seeing them at the feeders. The females are so cute and the males so handsome!🙂
I always look forward to the first red-winged blackbird singing "kongaree" at The Pond in late Feb. I know then that spring is not far behind. The females will start showing up two or three weeks later after the males have scouted the breeding grounds. Sometimes the REBBs are terrible pests in the winter. When it snows I can't keep the feeders and suet cages filled and nothing else can get close. But that usually doesn't last long here in middle Tennessee and then they disperse again. One of my coolest pictures is a RWBB coming in to land on a stand of cattails in a heavy snow storm in March.
Hola Lesley …today September 26th here at home in north Texas we had our first day of autumn weather outside and an invasion of the grackles those black birds were everywhere on the lawn on the trees on the utility cables even when they flew or land they make it look like a black ocean wave lol!! My German Shepard was confused by all the commotion those high notes that they make and some other were into a fight shaking their feathers and they look up like to look more agresive and the black shiny feathers are outstanding some reflected like metallic blueish or metallic green ish so beautiful…I’m sure all the red winged went to the park near me cause they love to hang around the artificial lake at our local park and with this video I learned more about it…Gracias Lesley you are better than animal planet…Saludos!!!👋😊👋from north Texas (DFW)
Crossing my fingers and hoping I get to see some this fall. Don't have a platform feeder ATM but we always scatter seeds and corn around the ground. We do that mostly for the doves, but with luck it will attract the redwing blackbirds too. Thanks for the video. ❤️
As a kid the one thing that got me more excited when I went fishing I would hear these birds in early spring, sadly where I live their numbers has declined as much as 75 % due to over development of the habitats they need to raise their young and polluted waters
It is terrible about such a decline. It's been getting tougher for these birds. The calls they make are so beautiful in spring, I really would miss hearing them.
Here it is, almost October, and the last RWB I saw was a couple of weeks ago. I live very close to a few ponds, so I'm fortunate to have plenty of these beauties in my yard often. I miss them already 🥺
I live in the Pacific Northwest and last year when I started birdwatching for the first time I was so amazed by this bird. I’ve been really liking your more short-form content lately keep up the great work!
Thank you for the feedback. It is nice making shorter videos, not to say there won't be any longer ones in the mix when needed. :) You're really fresh to birding, that's awesome. I hope continue to have wonderful experiences, seeing all kinds of fascinating birds.
I love this birds spunk. I have on many occasions been flown at and once felt it's claws on my helmet while riding my bicycle down a bicycle path during breeding season . I laughed the entire time answering back to their threatening calls . I look at it as being an interaction with nature, a mother protecting her nest.
The red - wing blackbirds that live next to me here in Missouri have already left to go south. They come back in the spring to the same nesting area. I listened to their calls and learned to mimick them. So now, every morning when I go out my back door, they are the first ones to greet me and I have to respond. I will miss them dearly until they return. They are a great help to my spirit.
Oh YES!! As I mentioned in a previous video you posted ... they ARE COOL!! You got dat right!! 💯 It was wonderful seeing them hanging on to a thin Reed sideways as their beautiful call rungs out ... as you said ... soothing. Thank you dear Leslie for sharing more on such an extraordinary bird. ❤️ 💕❤️💖
Love the sight & song of the Red-wing Blackbird! We had many in Michigan, don't see them much in TX. I think the shoulder patch is yellow the first year, 1/2 & 1/2 the second, then all-red the third year.
I'll happily feed any birds that come along looking for food, especially these dudes. I have them year round, if the whole flock comes they demolish 40+ lbs of food in a day, but I don't mind feeding them extra when they need it.
What a kind person you are. I'm the same way. Each year, just before migrating the Grackles come to my feeders in large numbers cleaning them out in no time. I don't mind. :)
Just love Red Wing Blackbirds they come in big flocks here and nest in the high weeds in the water retainment area. We always fed all birds grackles, starlings etc. Went through tons of suet when they had their babies. Just finished watching one of your videos the birds of winter very interesting. I didn't know some birds burrow into the snow. The Canadian Jay was at my heated bird bath one winter didn't know what it was so I went to our bird store here and they showed me a book on Canadian Birds. They said there were 2 people that reported they saw this bird. I was so excited what a beauty. Love your videos 💗
That is so awesome about you seeing a Canada Jay at your heated birdbath. They are one of the most beautiful and sweetest little jays. Such tame and wonderful personality.
Lesley ---I have to admit I have never loved these guys as they come and crowd out my bird favorites at my feeders ....but I will show them some love and try to feed them in another area as you suggested.....lol I will show them some love...have a great weekend
Ahh I get it, everyone has preferences. And besides you want the other little guys to get their share too. That's how much heart we have with our feathered friends :) It's incredible how they can affect us. Thanks for giving it go with easing off on them if they come by, you're so kind. Have a wonderful weekend
I love their song. I'm in Florida with plenty of wetlands. Always enjoy seeing and hearing the Red Wing Blackbirds. Like you said, every time I hear them I think of the marsh lands. I used to have them at my feeders here at home but have not had that pleasure for several years now...
The first one I saw was unfortunately deceased. This last year I finally heard/saw one. That red on his wing ... undeniably stricking!! Thank you Leslie for this great channel ❤️ 🐦
They are definitely that. Should not forget them over fall though when they come together with other red-wings in huge flocks. Often with other awesome blackbirds. 🙂
@@LesleytheBirdNerd I will certainly keep my eyes open. There are so many other blackbirds. I love how differ the females are. Both sexes are very oriole like.
Great video Lesley, red wings are the one bird to signify the changing season for me, there call is so welcome in the spring and when I don't here them down at the marsh anymore I know fall is not far off 💖😁
I have a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds in my area, northeast USA during the spring early summer but then they disappeared for the summer, I hope to see them again at my feeders this fall. Beautiful birds with a pleasing song.
I also don't get many, if any, on the way back! The geese still keep forgetting to pick me up! I love how red wing blackbirds males and females sort of keep apart! Stay strong Nova Scotia, I was in Hurricane Juan on Cunard St., finally got to sleep in the wee hours and then the alarm cie called (very loud ring-ring) to let us know our power was out!
Red Wings along with Cardinals, Painted Buntings, Blue Jays, Grackles, doves, and other birds visit my Mother's bird feeder at various times of the year. We love them all.
💋.. I have approximately One-Thousand Red-Winged Black-Birds ( 0:32 ) that "Winter" in 12-ft-Tall "Arundo-Donax" Cane right-behind my Tiny-Home in Central-Texas ... Every Winter Evening about 1-hour before Sunset, these Birds gather is Large-Groups & "Dive-Bomb" from the sky, straight-down into the Safety & Security of their Tall-Cane-Sanctuary .. ** and ** at Night ... "they talk & talk & talk to each-other....making all kinds of wonderful noises" ... I am So-Happy they have chosen to live with me .. Thank You So Much for Sharing This Informative Video & Your Love of Red-Winged Black-Birds ..👍👍👍
I love-dislike blackbirds. They're handsome, proud little things, but they quickly become annoying when you're searching for warblers and only find blackbirds.
The first time I ever saw Red-winged Blackbirds was when my husband and I were in a canoe paddling through narrow pathways in a marsh in New Hampshire. Beautiful!! The second time was during wintertime on the Oregon coast when they arrived with a large group of other types of birds. They covered my front and backyard looking for food. I went through an enormous amount of sunflower seeds, cracked corn, birdseed, etc. in just a couple of days! Then they left. My Starlings stay with me for months and at times will eat 5 suet cakes a day!! I love them all!!
Man we gotta get Round-up out of north America like YESTERDAY! We poison most of their food sources and then have the audacity to grump about which bird visits the feeder during migration. Ugh. Anyhoo, thanks for the video. They are always so awesome.
I always felt somewhat ashamed being a big fan of Red-winged Blackbirds. This excellent video has given me some validation for enjoying the simple beauty of this bird.
Thanks for the video. I find it extremely helpful when the sounds of the birds are included. .. I may not remember the bird,but the call is familiar thanks to your posting.
Everyone loves black birds. I mean Paul McCartney sang about them, who doesn't like black birds? I have a flock of grackles that come nest near my house and every year there will be one black bird that tags along and thinks it's a grackle, it's always so sweet, IMHO.
I live in Savannah, Georgia....but grew up and lived for years in the Atlanta area. One of my favorite birds that I've been blessed to have been exposed to all my life! Thanks!
They all play together in our yard. Eastern Bluebird, Cardinals, sparrow, a few variety of finch, We even have pigeons now and then. We feed them for survival. The redwinged black irds come, grackle also but n ot in force where it disturbs the other birds. We rarely see fighting amongst them. If we had crows which we do but they never eat here, I would certainly welcome the Crows or ravens. I would certainly befriend the crows.
Migrating flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are very common here in southwestern CT. They can be noisy as they constantly make their typical harsh single note call during flight or while perched on a tall tree. I love it when I start seeing and hearing them in March again at marshes, ponds, and wet woods. They're part of nature's way of welcoming the warmer weather and longer daylight. Then once male Red-winged Blackbirds are singing a lot in marshlands, you know that the pre-summer heat is approaching and it's not long before the sun sets at 8pm.
I have a family of grackles that shows up almost every day. Sometimes almost 20 of them. I really like to watch them interact with each other & the other birds. I’ve only seen a Red Winged Blackbird in my yard one time years ago. I think I’m a little too far south…
Thank you Lesley. I always very much enjoy your videos. I would like to have bird feeders, but I have a cat, that likes to be outdoors, even when it is cold. When I was growing up, as a child: I would watch our cat snatch birds, out of the air, so, I am hesitant to tempt my cat, and maybe lure some bird, to its death, but I so much enjoy your videos. Thank you.
Why don't people like common grackles? I live near lots of farmland and get them at the feeder often. I enjoy watching them try and intimidate the mourning doves 😆. I really don't have any problem with a species as long as it's native, but I want to hear others perspectives.
I love Starlings, I had a pet starling, I tried to release him, he didn't want to go. He was the love of my life, he talked better than all of my parrots combined. Such a prescious soul.
One of my favorite bird calls, and has been my entire life. As you said, it's a soothing sound. It reminds me of warm, early summer days. Funny how something so ordinary as a bird call can bring so much pleasure.
Having grown up next to a swamp, I am very familiar with this bird. I usually get some at my feeders in the spring, but I don't think I did this year. Your chart showed them to be year- round where I live but i only see them in the spring and summer.
I get small flocks of these cool birds early in late March or early April on the ground here in Oswego, New York. They migrate through my area and only stay a day or so. They love the area where I spread out cracked corn and black oil seed mixed with other seeds. A true sign of Spring. I love them and their call.
The body shape is like a blackbird's, but the beak isn’t. It looks to be able to crack shelled nuts and is also broad and yet more pointed. Can they cross-breed with blackbirds, I wonder?
Question , for male redwinged blackbirds , on the back and wings , do juveniles or non breeding males have a more mottled brown appearance? Because I saw one today that does
I grew up fairly close to a large marsh within walking distance in northeast PA. We spent a lot of time there, so I am very familiar with Red-winged Blackbird calls which bring back fond memories. Back then, they never came to our bird feeders. But the last few years now as an older adult, they come to my bird feeders in the spring and summer and have a very strident, shrill, harsh, grating call note, over and over again, that is not pleasant at all. It really, really bothers me. I wonder if the people who are leaving such glowing comments and high praise for these birds are hearing the same call note that I am. I don’t know how anyone could be enamored with it. It could be their alarm call but the birds in my back yard are much louder than any recording I’ve heard of it.
Living in farm and ranch country (Oklahoma) where stockmen feed lots of grain mixed feed and farmers have hundreds of acres of grain fields their a pest bird gathering in flocks by the thousands. They can empty a 5 lb bird feeder in 5 min in fall and winter. Later when the masses go north thankfully.... we have a few that stay and nest along creeks and ponds. We have several species of black birds including the Red Wings that stay until snow covers the fields then the pest move on south. Then we can get serious feeding other birds with several feeders around the property.
In PA I usually see these guys around during any large migration period. So both fall and spring. I think it's because the state is in a nice intermediate zone for climates where birds can chill out during migration
The red wing blackbird is my favorite American bird bar none. It’s call is very distinctive and beautiful when you hear and see a red wing blackbird in the late spring you know the summer is right around the corner. I usually see them in very high grass or near cattails at least in western Pennsylvania.
In in Pennsylvania. I have a lot of birds in my yard but have not seen one of these in my area. I was in Ohio over the summer and they were all over. Especially by Lake Erie.
Heyyy. I just seen a whole bunch of these in Pacifica ca the other day. Out on the beach at the wood deck. The red is a real bright red and video doesn't do it justice
these are at a local nature walk along a pond and every day i walk through their territory they would dive bomb me and flutter over my head lol. i got some great pictures of them over the past few months and my mother asked if they were called red wing black birds because "i dunno its usually some weird generic observational name" and i laughed but i didnt know what they were called. then i looked them up and i nearly died laughing that she had nailed it
I have been entertaining a lovely red wing at my feeders recently and I was thrilled to see him! I haven't seen more than one though. I do get some grackles and starlings, but never so many that they cause a problem. The house finches have taken over at a much more rapid rate this past summer. They are everywhere and far outnumber any other birds, except maybe for the mourning doves.
@@LesleytheBirdNerd no Mourning Pigs! I have a couple dozen to send your way 😉 omg, I have zero patience for those birds. Ughg... they ruin backyard birding for me alot.
🔴Red-winged Blackbird overview video
▶ua-cam.com/video/bKbXn_mSb8E/v-deo.html
I like ducks do you see some beacuse i like then
Learn something every time.... When you said milo I had to Google it because Milo is a chocolate flavored drink in Africa and sorghum is what the seed is called here 🤣
Thanks, Lesley 🕊 I lived in one place for 30 years & redwing blackbirds were ‘common’ This video is like seeing an old friend!
I live in northwest Wisconsin, USA, and the red-winged blackbirds are among the first to arrive in the Spring, delight me for not nearly long enough, and the first to migrate south again. They nest in my hay fields and are greatly missed when they’re gone.
I miss them greatly too. Birders in the US are lucky to have them over winter, imo.🙂
@@LesleytheBirdNerd yeah😊new video
@@LesleytheBirdNerd spring is here 🌻
The red-winged blackbird is one of my favorite wild birds! Their variety of calls is beautiful! Thank you, Lesley!
They are pretty cool for sure 🙂 thanks for stopping by
one of my favorite birds! a sure sound of spring. they nest near my house, in the wetlands of old bogs and ponds, and i often see them by the salt marshes too. never in such numbers to be pests though. i find it pretty easy to spot the females, not just by their size but also because their cheeks seem more rounded than other species. after seeing this, i think i'll put some food in the birdfeeders a little earlier this year.
Love the Redwings, they always visit our feeder... didn't know the females looked different!. Love your videos, always learn something new...and I've been birding a LOOOOONG time. It's awesome to learn from the younger generation 💓. Thank you.
You're very welcome 🙂 and thank you for checking out the video.
I never see one at my feeders. 🤔 Been feeding all kinds of wildlife for 50 years.
My Dad told me about these birds. Fearless winged warriors... have you ever seen them chasing off huge birds of prey? WOW 👌🏻
Not yet. We dont have many Red-winged Blackbirds here but that must be a sight to see
Fearless winged warriors!! I love that. And yes, I've seen it many times. It's such a sight to see too. Unfortunately, they pick on my crows at work. I feed a small family of crows at my job, and they will dive bomb them and harass them all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I love the redwings just as much as the crows. Lol!!
They often mob hawks around here. Definitely gangstas.
Love love love this!! Thank you for putting this together. I love Red Wing Black Birds. I miss them so much already. They left the middle of August 😢 When I would bring my feeders out in the morning, they'd sit in the tree patiently waiting, doing their check call. It would make me smile hearing them all check check checking me as I put the food out. Lol!! It's been so quiet without them and all the other birds lately. It feels alittle sad. Anyway, I'm so happy you made this. Alot of people on the fb pages are always complaining about all the black birds. Maybe they'll see them in a different way. Ole one leg made me see them in a new light. I adore them. I love their bill and eyes, they look like they are smiling if you look at them from the side. So cute!! 😍 they are the first to get here in the spring, well actually it's still winter when they arrive. Normally it's the last week of February. Oh let me tell you. The first site and sound of them you can feel the emotions rise with happiness. It's a nice reminder that warmer days will come. 😊
You are so welcome Chris. Red-winged Blackbirds are such cool birds, and I love that you got familiar with one in particular. I hope Ole One Leg comes back to see you again in Spring. It's something else when you can recognize individuals. I know how you feel about missing them, those, along with the White-throated sparrow, Hermit Thrush and Robin make me so sad when I don't hear them calling anymore because they've left for the winter. Always so nice to see them again in Spring though. :)
@@LesleytheBirdNerd how do I attract red winged blackbirds?
@@LesleytheBirdNerd a long time where I used to live Atlanta Georgia ☝️ they were bunch of red winged blackbirds everywhere best experience ever 😊
I live in northern NJ and for the past few years now we've been getting a huge flock of redwings, grackles, starlings, and cowbirds in the winter. I believe it's the same flock each time, so it makes me feel good that our house has become an annual stop on their winter migration.
Thats great to hear, glad you get them stopping by. I bet they have a map of all the spots lol
I live in central Alberta, Canada. I get so excited when I hear the first spring songs of the red winged blackbirds. They are a delight and more than welcome at my feeders
One of my favourites! I love seeing them in the Spring and the antics of the males. I've watched males chase off everything from Turkey Vultures to Great Blue Herons. Sadly, the ones in my area have long since migrated South. Looking forward to seeing next Spring. Thanks for sharing and happy birding!
I miss the ones here too. I think people in the United States are lucky to have them over fall. 🙂
Red-winged blackbirds are wonderful~ I can see them at a local park, and the red and orange marks are sooo beautiful~💞
Thank you for sharing this video~🤗
Definitely one of my favorite birds looks wise
such a beautiful sound to hear when out exploring. love them.
I miss seeing these guys from when I lived in Duluth, MN. I took a lot of walks around somewhat swampy ground and they were all through the reeds guarding their little patch of territory. They really didn't seem to care much when I went walking by 5-10 feet away. I loved it when someone with a dog went by and the blackbirds would zip out and dive bomb the dog. Poor things hardly knew what was hitting them on the back. Fun to watch. I did see one this past spring migrating through with a large flock of grackles that stopped by to eat some seed I spread out on the deck for the migrants. Didn't get a picture but I was happy to see him. Thanks Lesley!
Oh my gosh, that is too funny. I haven't witnessed them dive bombing yet but what you described sounds so adorable. The dog is like what they heck is that, haha! You are so kind to sprinkle some food out for the birds when they are migrating through. Thanks for watching!
I really love the sound that they make. It always reminds me fishing as when we fish next to cattails they are usually hanging around them !
That’s where we see & hear them in Okefenokee country….around the cattails and blowdowns. Oak a *leee*
Nice to hear their call again! Here in north central Wisconsin, we haven't seen them in many weeks. 😔I guess they migrated south earlier than other birds? We really like seeing them at the feeders. The females are so cute and the males so handsome!🙂
Yeah my guess is that have already left for the south
The❤️RED Winged blackbird 🦅 is so pretty 😎
Those males certainly are beautiful, females are so cool looking too 🙂
@@LesleytheBirdNerd the males blackbirds are very beautiful
I always look forward to the first red-winged blackbird singing "kongaree" at The Pond in late Feb. I know then that spring is not far behind. The females will start showing up two or three weeks later after the males have scouted the breeding grounds. Sometimes the REBBs are terrible pests in the winter. When it snows I can't keep the feeders and suet cages filled and nothing else can get close. But that usually doesn't last long here in middle Tennessee and then they disperse again. One of my coolest pictures is a RWBB coming in to land on a stand of cattails in a heavy snow storm in March.
Here in southern GA we take the birds call as a signal that the redbreast & bluegill will soon be biting.
Hola Lesley …today September 26th here at home in north Texas we had our first day of autumn weather outside and an invasion of the grackles those black birds were everywhere on the lawn on the trees on the utility cables even when they flew or land they make it look like a black ocean wave lol!! My German Shepard was confused by all the commotion those high notes that they make and some other were into a fight shaking their feathers and they look up like to look more agresive and the black shiny feathers are outstanding some reflected like metallic blueish or metallic green ish so beautiful…I’m sure all the red winged went to the park near me cause they love to hang around the artificial lake at our local park and with this video I learned more about it…Gracias Lesley you are better than animal planet…Saludos!!!👋😊👋from north Texas (DFW)
Crossing my fingers and hoping I get to see some this fall. Don't have a platform feeder ATM but we always scatter seeds and corn around the ground. We do that mostly for the doves, but with luck it will attract the redwing blackbirds too. Thanks for the video. ❤️
Well the best of luck to you
As a kid the one thing that got me more excited when I went fishing I would hear these birds in early spring, sadly where I live their numbers has declined as much as 75 % due to over development of the habitats they need to raise their young and polluted waters
It is terrible about such a decline. It's been getting tougher for these birds. The calls they make are so beautiful in spring, I really would miss hearing them.
Their song is SO easy to recognize. I love hearing them in early spring along with the American robins.
Here it is, almost October, and the last RWB I saw was a couple of weeks ago. I live very close to a few ponds, so I'm fortunate to have plenty of these beauties in my yard often.
I miss them already 🥺
We get them at our feeders in the spring. We love watching them.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and last year when I started birdwatching for the first time I was so amazed by this bird. I’ve been really liking your more short-form content lately keep up the great work!
Thank you for the feedback. It is nice making shorter videos, not to say there won't be any longer ones in the mix when needed. :) You're really fresh to birding, that's awesome. I hope continue to have wonderful experiences, seeing all kinds of fascinating birds.
@@LesleytheBirdNerd I miss blackbirds now🥺
I constantly see a red wing blackbird when I cross the bridge and he sees me and screams at me I never hurt him or her. I love most birds
Thanks, Lesley, It's happy birding everyday at my house😎 (middletown, Connecticut)🥰
You are so welcome!
I love this birds spunk. I have on many occasions been flown at and once felt it's claws on my helmet while riding my bicycle down a bicycle path during breeding season . I laughed the entire time answering back to their threatening calls . I look at it as being an interaction with nature, a mother protecting her nest.
This makes me smile, thanks a lot for sharing that with me. I often wonder if Ill ever get dive bombed at out local marsh lol
@@LesleytheBirdNerd your videos make me smile 😁
I love these birds! Love hearing their calls
The red - wing blackbirds that live next to me here in Missouri have already left to go south. They come back in the spring to the same nesting area. I listened to their calls and learned to mimick them. So now, every morning when I go out my back door, they are the first ones to greet me and I have to respond. I will miss them dearly until they return. They are a great help to my spirit.
That is too darn cute! :) Love it. Beautiful birds
Oh YES!! As I mentioned in a previous video you posted ... they ARE COOL!! You got dat right!! 💯 It was wonderful seeing them hanging on to a thin Reed sideways as their beautiful call rungs out ... as you said ... soothing. Thank you dear Leslie for sharing more on such an extraordinary bird. ❤️ 💕❤️💖
I love your enthusiasm for them, I think the same thing. Too cool for school haha! Thanks for checking out the video :)
@@LesleytheBirdNerd 😂🤣😂😃
Love the sight & song of the Red-wing Blackbird! We had many in Michigan, don't see them much in TX. I think the shoulder patch is yellow the first year, 1/2 & 1/2 the second, then all-red the third year.
I'll happily feed any birds that come along looking for food, especially these dudes. I have them year round, if the whole flock comes they demolish 40+ lbs of food in a day, but I don't mind feeding them extra when they need it.
What a kind person you are. I'm the same way. Each year, just before migrating the Grackles come to my feeders in large numbers cleaning them out in no time. I don't mind. :)
Just love Red Wing Blackbirds they come in big flocks here and nest in the high weeds in the water retainment area. We always fed all birds grackles, starlings etc. Went through tons of suet when they had their babies. Just finished watching one of your videos the birds of winter very interesting. I didn't know some birds burrow into the snow. The Canadian Jay was at my heated bird bath one winter didn't know what it was so I went to our bird store here and they showed me a book on Canadian Birds. They said there were 2 people that reported they saw this bird. I was so excited what a beauty. Love your videos 💗
That is so awesome about you seeing a Canada Jay at your heated birdbath. They are one of the most beautiful and sweetest little jays. Such tame and wonderful personality.
Lesley ---I have to admit I have never loved these guys as they come and crowd out my bird favorites at my feeders ....but I will show them some love and try to feed them in another area as you suggested.....lol I will show them some love...have a great weekend
Ahh I get it, everyone has preferences. And besides you want the other little guys to get their share too. That's how much heart we have with our feathered friends :) It's incredible how they can affect us. Thanks for giving it go with easing off on them if they come by, you're so kind. Have a wonderful weekend
I love their song. I'm in Florida with plenty of wetlands. Always enjoy seeing and hearing the Red Wing Blackbirds. Like you said, every time I hear them I think of the marsh lands. I used to have them at my feeders here at home but have not had that pleasure for several years now...
I like to see the red-winged blackbird on the many sunflowers we have on the farm. I especially like their calls.
The first one I saw was unfortunately deceased. This last year I finally heard/saw one. That red on his wing ... undeniably stricking!! Thank you Leslie for this great channel ❤️ 🐦
Hmm…I notice them mostly as true heralds of spring.
They are definitely that. Should not forget them over fall though when they come together with other red-wings in huge flocks. Often with other awesome blackbirds. 🙂
@@LesleytheBirdNerd I will certainly keep my eyes open. There are so many other blackbirds. I love how differ the females are. Both sexes are very oriole like.
@@illuminotmereloaded6896 Females are really cool looking. I hope you're able to see some red wings. 🙂
@@LesleytheBirdNerd I’ll let you know. Thanks Lesley! You too!
Great video Lesley, red wings are the one bird to signify the changing season for me, there call is so welcome in the spring and when I don't here them down at the marsh anymore I know fall is not far off 💖😁
Thanks a bunch. Good way of describing them, their presence of lack thereof, alerting us to the changing season. :)
Thank you for this beautiful video!
Absolutely! Thanks for watching
VERY EXCITING!!! Just saw one. Michigan 05/02/24
I have a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds in my area, northeast USA during the spring early summer but then they disappeared for the summer, I hope to see them again at my feeders this fall. Beautiful birds with a pleasing song.
I hope you see some, but if not may they pay you a visit in Spring :)
I also don't get many, if any, on the way back! The geese still keep forgetting to pick me up! I love how red wing blackbirds males and females sort of keep apart! Stay strong Nova Scotia, I was in Hurricane Juan on Cunard St., finally got to sleep in the wee hours and then the alarm cie called (very loud ring-ring) to let us know our power was out!
@@joseenoel8093 staring at a hurricane coming up behind us in southern GA right now….😮
Red Wings along with Cardinals, Painted Buntings, Blue Jays, Grackles, doves, and other birds visit my Mother's bird feeder at various times of the year. We love them all.
What a awesome variety of birds, so many different characters and fun behaviors to watch. Bird make things interesting!
@@LesleytheBirdNerd we're in East Central Coast of Florida
💋.. I have approximately One-Thousand Red-Winged Black-Birds ( 0:32 ) that "Winter" in 12-ft-Tall "Arundo-Donax" Cane right-behind my Tiny-Home in Central-Texas ... Every Winter Evening about 1-hour before Sunset, these Birds gather is Large-Groups & "Dive-Bomb" from the sky, straight-down into the Safety & Security of their Tall-Cane-Sanctuary .. ** and ** at Night ... "they talk & talk & talk to each-other....making all kinds of wonderful noises" ... I am So-Happy they have chosen to live with me .. Thank You So Much for Sharing This Informative Video & Your Love of Red-Winged Black-Birds ..👍👍👍
I love-dislike blackbirds. They're handsome, proud little things, but they quickly become annoying when you're searching for warblers and only find blackbirds.
Lesley’s simply the best❣️🙏🏼
The first time I ever saw Red-winged Blackbirds was when my husband and I were in a canoe paddling through narrow pathways in a marsh in New Hampshire. Beautiful!! The second time was during wintertime on the Oregon coast when they arrived with a large group of other types of birds. They covered my front and backyard looking for food. I went through an enormous amount of sunflower seeds, cracked corn, birdseed, etc. in just a couple of days! Then they left. My Starlings stay with me for months and at times will eat 5 suet cakes a day!! I love them all!!
Man we gotta get Round-up out of north America like YESTERDAY!
We poison most of their food sources and then have the audacity to grump about which bird visits the feeder during migration. Ugh.
Anyhoo, thanks for the video. They are always so awesome.
A wetland doesn't feel like a wetland without a blackbird calling. =)
I always felt somewhat ashamed being a big fan of Red-winged Blackbirds. This excellent video has given me some validation for enjoying the simple beauty of this bird.
Nice video Lesley! Thank you for sharing it with us!💖👍😎JP
I'm grateful for every bird that visits my backyard 🥰
Thanks for the video. I find it extremely helpful when the sounds of the birds are included. .. I may not remember the bird,but the call is familiar thanks to your posting.
Everyone loves black birds. I mean Paul McCartney sang about them, who doesn't like black birds? I have a flock of grackles that come nest near my house and every year there will be one black bird that tags along and thinks it's a grackle, it's always so sweet, IMHO.
I can't get over their lovely jet black plumage and their red and yellow "epaulettes". In my opinion, all birds are wonderful. I welcome them all.
I live in Savannah, Georgia....but grew up and lived for years in the Atlanta area. One of my favorite birds that I've been blessed to have been exposed to all my life! Thanks!
They all play together in our yard. Eastern Bluebird, Cardinals, sparrow, a few variety of finch, We even have pigeons now and then. We feed them for survival. The redwinged black irds come, grackle also but n ot in force where it disturbs the other birds. We rarely see fighting amongst them. If we had crows which we do but they never eat here, I would certainly welcome the Crows or ravens. I would certainly befriend the crows.
Migrating flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are very common here in southwestern CT. They can be noisy as they constantly make their typical harsh single note call during flight or while perched on a tall tree.
I love it when I start seeing and hearing them in March again at marshes, ponds, and wet woods. They're part of nature's way of welcoming the warmer weather and longer daylight. Then once male Red-winged Blackbirds are singing a lot in marshlands, you know that the pre-summer heat is approaching and it's not long before the sun sets at 8pm.
We call them rice birds in south central Arkansas they're very common in rice fields.
I love grackles and all blackbirds. Right now my wooded yard is full of birds making the sound of a running stream, what bird makes that sound?
I love grackles and all blackbirds. Right now my wooded yard is full of birds making the sound of a running stream, what bird makes that sound?
I have a family of grackles that shows up almost every day. Sometimes almost 20 of them. I really like to watch them interact with each other & the other birds.
I’ve only seen a Red Winged Blackbird in my yard one time years ago. I think I’m a little too far south…
Thank you Lesley. I always very much enjoy your videos. I would like to have bird feeders, but I have a cat, that likes to be outdoors, even when it is cold. When I was growing up, as a child: I would watch our cat snatch birds, out of the air, so, I am hesitant to tempt my cat, and maybe lure some bird, to its death, but I so much enjoy your videos. Thank you.
They migrated out of Wisconsin weeks ago and won't be back till March. Pretty birds but would rather not have that many at the feeders.
Why don't people like common grackles? I live near lots of farmland and get them at the feeder often. I enjoy watching them try and intimidate the mourning doves 😆. I really don't have any problem with a species as long as it's native, but I want to hear others perspectives.
I love Starlings, I had a pet starling, I tried to release him, he didn't want to go. He was the love of my life, he talked better than all of my parrots combined. Such a prescious soul.
One of my favorite bird calls, and has been my entire life. As you said, it's a soothing sound. It reminds me of warm, early summer days.
Funny how something so ordinary as a bird call can bring so much pleasure.
Having grown up next to a swamp, I am very familiar with this bird. I usually get some at my feeders in the spring, but I don't think I did this year. Your chart showed them to be year- round where I live but i only see them in the spring and summer.
I get small flocks of these cool birds early in late March or early April on the ground here in Oswego, New York. They migrate through my area and only stay a day or so. They love the area where I spread out cracked corn and black oil seed mixed with other seeds. A true sign of Spring. I love them and their call.
The body shape is like a blackbird's, but the beak isn’t. It looks to be able to crack shelled nuts and is also broad and yet more pointed.
Can they cross-breed with blackbirds, I wonder?
Question , for male redwinged blackbirds , on the back and wings , do juveniles or non breeding males have a more mottled brown appearance? Because I saw one today that does
I grew up fairly close to a large marsh within walking distance in northeast PA. We spent a lot of time there, so I am very familiar with Red-winged Blackbird calls which bring back fond memories. Back then, they never came to our bird feeders. But the last few years now as an older adult, they come to my bird feeders in the spring and summer and have a very strident, shrill, harsh, grating call note, over and over again, that is not pleasant at all. It really, really bothers me. I wonder if the people who are leaving such glowing comments and high praise for these birds are hearing the same call note that I am. I don’t know how anyone could be enamored with it. It could be their alarm call but the birds in my back yard are much louder than any recording I’ve heard of it.
Living in farm and ranch country (Oklahoma) where stockmen feed lots of grain mixed feed and farmers have hundreds of acres of grain fields their a pest bird gathering in flocks by the thousands. They can empty a 5 lb bird feeder in 5 min in fall and winter. Later when the masses go north thankfully.... we have a few that stay and nest along creeks and ponds. We have several species of black birds including the Red Wings that stay until snow covers the fields then the pest move on south. Then we can get serious feeding other birds with several feeders around the property.
In PA I usually see these guys around during any large migration period. So both fall and spring. I think it's because the state is in a nice intermediate zone for climates where birds can chill out during migration
The red wing blackbird is my favorite American bird bar none. It’s call is very distinctive and beautiful when you hear and see a red wing blackbird in the late spring you know the summer is right around the corner. I usually see them in very high grass or near cattails at least in western Pennsylvania.
Pity they are not in central Europe, I would have welcomed them of course! 💖
PEOPLE DON'T LIKE GRACKLES?!
They're so pretty!!
I've always liked them.
I love the video and I learned a lot!!
I love all birds. They are all welcomed. They all have my heart. ❤️ Nature, we have to protect it. 🫂
Personally I have never wanted to exclude any type of bird from my feeders. I love them all.
In in Pennsylvania. I have a lot of birds in my yard but have not seen one of these in my area. I was in Ohio over the summer and they were all over. Especially by Lake Erie.
I’ve had a flock of close to 50 feeding on the ground, eating all the black oil sunflower seeds the other birds throw out of the feeders.
My favorite bird by a mile. It's the "edge lord" colors I love.
The harbinger of spring is the Redwing blackbird in our area.
I had a few in late spring, early summer in Kansas. 🤗🤗🤗
Heyyy. I just seen a whole bunch of these in Pacifica ca the other day. Out on the beach at the wood deck. The red is a real bright red and video doesn't do it justice
I do like the red-winged blackbirds, see them on walks so often until late Fall.
Here in Florida, I usually see a lot of red winged blackbirds
Here in Florida, I usually see a lot of red winged blackbirds
One of my favorites. The only bird I was allowed to band back in college. I got to free a big brown bat from the mist net around the same time.
These are shore birds by me. I have one come by at odd times since I'm a little off the bay. Their calls are quite distinctive.
these are at a local nature walk along a pond and every day i walk through their territory they would dive bomb me and flutter over my head lol. i got some great pictures of them over the past few months and my mother asked if they were called red wing black birds because "i dunno its usually some weird generic observational name" and i laughed but i didnt know what they were called. then i looked them up and i nearly died laughing that she had nailed it
oddly i had redwings at oiler feeder all summer. in the past only in the spring during migration. I welcome them
This is such great information! Thank you!
Wow, I love those Birds. I see a lot of them around in the Summer. I think most of them are long gone now that it's late September.
I have been entertaining a lovely red wing at my feeders recently and I was thrilled to see him! I haven't seen more than one though. I do get some grackles and starlings, but never so many that they cause a problem. The house finches have taken over at a much more rapid rate this past summer. They are everywhere and far outnumber any other birds, except maybe for the mourning doves.
Yes, that's much the same for me in our yard. No Mourning Doves though
The number of house finches in our yard is unbelievable. Such cute little birds.
@@LesleytheBirdNerd no Mourning Pigs! I have a couple dozen to send your way 😉 omg, I have zero patience for those birds. Ughg... they ruin backyard birding for me alot.
I see red winged blacked birds in my area but they do not visit my feeders, they stay in grass area.
Never understood the idea of unwanted birds. Any birds that come to visit my feeders are wanted
I love their calls. Since moving to a wooded area I don't get to see them much.
My single most favorite bird