Red Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Male red winged blackbirds arrive just at the tail end of winter several weeks before the females. This is done so they can stake their claim to a territory. Since their habitat is commonly marshes, the male will sit on the tip of the tallest cattail and give its signature metallic squawk and show off its striking red and yellow patterns on the scapula (shoulders).
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