CLOSED: The bird in the foreground, what is it?

I think that's Grackle, don't which kind, in the background. But, I'm really curious about the bird in the foreground.

Anyone know what it is?

Hack

European Starling?

Hack

Female Red-winged Blackbird

Edit: on 2nd thoughts, immature male, not female.

Resin

This message was edited Feb 16, 2010 4:46 PM

Thanks Resin, but what made you change your mind? In my book, it looks just like a female Blackbird..

Hack

This message was edited Feb 16, 2010 12:32 PM

Because the white greater covert bar looks a bit too prominent for a female, and there looks to be a hint of red on its front edge . . . but I could be wrong!

Resin

Ah, I see now what you mean. Immature male it is.

Thanks
Hack

So, do you reckon the two birds on the left are truly female R-w Blackbirds?

Hack

Yep! . . . probably, anyway!

Resin

Do male red winged blackbirds keep their color year round, or do they molt to a winter color similar to females? I had a large flock of RWBs move in to my feeders with the latest snow storm, but they are all female/immature male plumage. I was curious why there would be no males in a 30+ bird flock

Really the only thing I seen change was the color of the bar on the wing... red to a yellow/orange on the males.

Seem to remember reading somewhere that they do tend to form single-sex flocks in winter. Not sure if that's everywhere, or just some areas of its range.

Resin

Hack and Resin,

One thing to look for on immature RWBB/adult females is white in the the throat. Always seems to be there in both immature and adult females, but not in immature males. In the photo with the two birds on the left, you can see the throat of the bird in the foreground.

Greg

Thanks! That sounds a useful tip

Resin