A Feisty New Male Joins the Crew

Over the many years of having Red-winged Blackbirds visit our feeders I cannot recall ever seeing a young male brought by with Mom. They always end up being females. So I was quite surprised to get a great shot of a young male just the other day.



The females are still here, too. Mom and the young females share the feeders, even in the rain. Easy to see the difference of the bright wing patch on the male compared to all versions of the females.



This new male seems to have no trouble fending for himself as witnessed by him chasing off a dove during the steady rains we have been getting for the last week. Finally.



How rainy has it been? Check out this soaked pair of Mourning Doves. I am really surprised how well you can see the coloration on the male's neck here. Usually you have to catch them in the sun at the proper angles to get the dry feathers to flash their brilliance.



Perhaps it is easier for one to see in this closer view.



Finally, a larger White-winged Dove takes a turn trying to stare the ever present camera eye down.



I bet the dove blinked first...