The Red-winged Blackbirds have migrated back to the Midwest for the breeding season. I find it curious that the males that are visiting my backyard feeders are completely calm and polite to other birds and people.
But if I venture 15 minutes outside of the city, those males in the farm fields and marshes are already very territorial and itchin’ for a fight.
According to the All About Birds website from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a Red-winged Blackbird male spends more than a quarter of his daylight hours defending his territory:
“He chases other males out of the territory and attacks nest predators, sometimes going after much larger animals, including horses and people.”
This may ring true for you if you’ve ever been hiking or biking and have suddenly found yourself taking evasive action from a diving Red-winged Blackbird.
Males can pair up with as many as 15 females. No wonder they spend a good chunk of their day defending territory!
As long as they aren’t trying to peck my head, I get a kick out of watching these feisty blackbirds in action every spring.