Red-winged blackbirds indicate return of spring

As we enjoy spring, one of the most abundant birds across Boundary County — and one of the most boldly colored — the red-winged blackbird is a familiar sign atop cattails, along soggy roadsides, and on telephone wires. Glossy-black males have scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches they can puff-up or hide depending on how confident they feel. Females are a subdued, streaky brown, almost like a large, dark sparrow. Their early and tumbling songs are happy indication of the return of spring.