Yellow-headed Blackbird male just before lift off – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1000, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
To my delight the mechanical sounding calls of male Yellow-headed Blackbirds buzzed over the marshes of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning. I can’t honestly say their calls are pleasant but these blackbirds are easily identified by the sounds they make as well as by their bright yellow heads and black bodies.
The males are now displaying from the tops of cattails, rushes and phragmites to attract as many as 8 mates in his territory. Yellow-headed Blackbirds are larger and more dominant than the Red-winged Blackbirds that also nest on the refuge and they tend to take over the best nesting areas.
This Yellow-headed Blackbird was the first I have photographed this year but I know it won’t be the last of the season.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow-headed Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Good shot! I am looking forward to hearing these noisy guys and seeing their wonderful displays.
Stunning, Mia. The Yellow-headed Blackbirds arrived in Yolo county California a few weeks ago. I was so excited to see them. Describing their calls a mechanical is perfect. I find the sound so eerie. Thanks for sharing this.
Wow. A stunner I will never see – thank you.
Crap on the car I can sort of cope with. The birds which crap on the veranda after guzzling my mulberries are not my friends. Mulberry crap stains are permanent.
Great capture!
Nice work Mia!
Thanks M. Bruce!
These are such beautiful birds…wish we had them here. We have the Red-Winged versions. They arrive with the Grackles and Starlings, tank up on seed and suet, then head for the wetlands. The Grackles and Starlings stay behind and clean out our feeders then poop all over the cars.
Patty, I think they are beautiful too. Too bad about the poop, doves do that to my car.