THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 



American Blackbird Family — Icteridce 



"Length: About 9^ inches; length varies in different indi- 

 viduals. 

 Male: Jet black, except shoulders, which are scarlet edged 

 with yellow; plumage mottled in winter — upper parts 

 edged with rusty brown; bill long, sharp-pointed, 

 black; legs and feet black; eyes dark. 

 Female: Head and back blackish, rusty brown, and buff. 

 Light streak over and under eye; throat yellowish; 

 under parts streaked with black and white; wings 

 brown, edged with buff; tail brown. Plumage incon- 

 spicuous, but attractive on close inspection. 

 Young Males: Similar to females, but with red and black 



shoulders. 

 Call-Note: A hoarse chuck resembling that of the grackle. 

 Song: A liquid, pleasant o-ka-ree. 

 Habitat: In meadows where a streamlet flows 

 Or sedges rim a pool, 

 There swings upon a blade of green 



Beside the waters cool, 

 A bird of black, with "epaulets" 



Of red and gold. With glee 

 He plays upon his "Magic Flute'*: 

 "0-o-ka-ree? O-o-ka-ree?" 

 Nest: A beautiful structure, long and deep, fastened to reeds; 



a "hanging" nest. 

 Eggs: Pale bluish, with inky scrawls and spots. 

 Bange: North America, east of the Great Plains, except the 

 Gulf Coast and Florida; abundant where there are 

 marshes and ponds; winters mainly south of Ohio 

 and Delaware Valleys. 



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