The Red–winged Blackbird is one of the most numerous birds in North America. Gary Davidson’s Checklist of West Kootenay Birds lists it as common in the spring and summer. Yet, I never see it—or at least, I never see it near my home.
The problem, apparently, is that the Red–winged Blackbird prefers marshes (such as found at each end of the Main Lake) while I live on fairly well drained land (along the West Arm). However, as the pictures below reveal, even a short visit to the bird’s preferred habitat provides a cornucopia of sightings and pictures.
The male Red-winged Blackbird is hard to mistake. It is glossy black with red–and–yellow shoulder badges.
It spends a great deal of time on highly visible perches, belting out its distinctive song.
Then it will fly to a nearby perch and start again.
However, the first-summer’s male has yet to acquire the distinctive red.
While the female is more camouflaged and tries to stay out of sight.
