Harbingers of Winter

A frequently asked question at our facility, especially this time of year, is "What do you call those black birds with red patches on their wings?" We, of course, reply that they are Agelaius phoenicius, of the family Icteridae and that they are known to be troupial. While this is indeed their scientific classification, they are quite simply known as red-winged blackbirds.

While many are year-round residents to our area, they are hardly noticed until about October. At this time, the northern dwelling of the species head south for the winter where they tend to find their southern dwelling friends and form huge flocks or "troupes", hence the term troupial. Although when alone, the red-winged blackbird is beautiful, it is only when we see and hear the "troupe" do we realize how gorgeous they truly are. A flock of these mouthy birds in a pine tree in October can drown out the sound of even the loudest Harley on Highland Valley Road! The male is by far the prettiest, with his glossy black feathers and beautiful red wing patches. The female of the species, while not as beautiful as the male, with her striped gray/brown plumage, arrives several weeks later than the males. We should be seeing "the girls" shortly here in Ramona. Of interest to birders is that juveniles (first year birds) of either sex, resemble the female of the species. Only after their first year do the young males resemble the "menfolk". Brewer's blackbirds are often seen with the red-winged troupe. The most obvious differences between the two are the absence of red wing patches on the Brewer's and their golden eyes. In short, the red-wings have red patches and dark eyes while the Brewer's have no patches and golden eyes: a quick ID for the new birder.

The Icteridae family which includes the blackbirds, also includes orioles, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and tanagers. This is a very diverse family of songbirds with their wide range of colors, size and habits. The red-wing feeds mostly on vegetable matter such as sunflower seeds, waste grains and berries. These birds have also been spotted during harvest season following tractors and eating beetles, grasshoppers and grubs. Other members of this family are primarily insect eaters with a little vegetable matter or nectar to fulfill their nutritional requirements.

Our advice to both the proficient and the new birder in Ramona is to enjoy the cacophony of the red-winged blackbird and his family and to note that they are here to let us know that cooler weather is on its way!

This article is dedicated to The Ramona Woman's Club, and to Eleanor Maxey in particular, for their interest in native wildlife and for their support of our efforts.

— Cindy Traisi