Blackbird - Red-winged

Male Red-winged Blackbird Guarding Nest Site - May 12, 2011

Along one side of a 200 foot long pond, 6 Red-winged Blackbird pairs have divided up the space into roughly 30 foot patches of cattails. The males screech loudly all day long to ensure that their patch is defended against encroachment by neighboring males. The females seem to be better behaved and are focused on nest site selection and grooming.