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Red-wing and Great Gray

10,000 Birds

An angry Red-winged Blackbird attacked again and again, flashing its bright epaulettes and hitting the heron hard in the middle of its back. The blackbird appeared to be purposefully targeting the heron’s back. It continued to fish, working its way slowly along the bank while the blackbird continued its assault.

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The Dracula Bird

10,000 Birds

But when raised, they seem to have a sort of weird cape. In other words, they never raise their own young. Instead, they lay their eggs in other species’ nests, and let those nest-making birds (often significantly smaller than the cowbirds) raise their young. Both (in fact, all) cowbirds are obligate brood parasites.

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Western and Clark’s Grebes: Poetry in Motion

10,000 Birds

The boat trip also offered some good looks at the Yellow-headed Blackbirds nesting along the shores. Note the raised crests as the female (on the left) turns to face the larger male (on the right). But the real reason I went to the festival was to see the Clark’s and Western Grebes exhibiting their mating rituals.

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Is That A Crazy Woodpecker Trying To Eat Your House?

10,000 Birds

There are several species of birds we enjoy for their songs-- American Robins, Carolina Wrens, Wood Thrushes and maybe even Red-winged Blackbirds. v=I3mgqqmugPU Reason 2: Nesting If a woodpecker is making large holes, they could be creating a roosting spot or a cavity to raise a family of young woodpeckers.

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The Lion Forest of India

10,000 Birds

Underneath an arched branch, one familiar bird, a Common Blackbird female… but after a recent split in 2005 by Rasmussen and Anderton, it was elevated to a full species – Indian Blackbird ( Turdus simillimus ). Indian) Blackbird Turdus (merula) simillimus. Three Indian Jackals are walking through a sunset.

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Signs of Spring Migration in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

The Red-shouldered Hawks , the quick flapping Accipiters and the legions of blackbirds and ducks moved through the cool airs of March and April but the orioles, grosbeaks, and wood-warblers wouldn’t show up until the trees had their buds and many had their leaves. At some sites, flocks of 30, even 60 or more birds are expected.

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Birding Fallon: Well Worth the Trip

10,000 Birds

Yellow-headed Blackbirds singing in the reeds allowed us to get an arm’s length away. Yellow-headed Blackbird was another lifer for me, and omnipresent. The specials for our dinner at The Slanted Porch in Fallon included dishes prepared from cows and lambs raised by local 4-H Club kids.). A Marsh Wren came out of hiding for us.

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