Not the clearest photo, but does anyone have an idea what this bird is? It was in the low bushes near the water, in an area where red-winged blackbirds might be and a comparable size to them. It was taken at Lac Lapêche last week.
Well… The size of a red-winged blackbird, in a red-winged blackbird spot. It is a red-winged blackbird! As in many cases in the world of birds, the female looks nothing like the male.
Yes, I concur – it’s a female red-wing. She is well camouflaged for nesting purposes whereas the male is showy to attract her. Male red-wings with the biggest, brightest red patches are the most desireable from her point of view.
Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Duotone by Automattic.
Well… The size of a red-winged blackbird, in a red-winged blackbird spot. It is a red-winged blackbird! As in many cases in the world of birds, the female looks nothing like the male.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-winged_blackbird/id
Yes, I concur – it’s a female red-wing. She is well camouflaged for nesting purposes whereas the male is showy to attract her. Male red-wings with the biggest, brightest red patches are the most desireable from her point of view.
Thanks, again, Dominique. Now I am now amazed to realize that all those many other red-winged blackbirds we saw were only the males!
Yes, those males certainly grab one’s attention!