Male Red-winged Blackbirds are hard to ignore when they start showing off their bright red shoulder patches. Their loud calls and bold displays always catch my attention when I visit Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
I photographed this male perched on an old corn stalk while showing off his colorful feathers.
Red-winged Blackbird Display on an Old Corn Stalk
This male Red-winged Blackbird was putting on quite a show. He spread his wings, raised his shoulder feathers, and called from the top of an old corn stalk.
The bright red shoulder patches, called epaulets, stood out against his glossy black feathers. A narrow yellow border added even more color to the display.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds use these displays to defend their breeding territories and attract females. Their familiar “conk-la-ree” song carries across marshes, ponds, and other wetland habitats.
During breeding season, males often choose exposed perches where other birds can see and hear them. They also raise their red shoulder feathers to make their displays more noticeable.
I’ve photographed this behavior at Sequoyah before. In another post, I shared a Red-winged Blackbird’s Display and Call near Tuff Pond.
Photographing a Male Blackbird in Its Calling Pose
What caught my attention about this bird was the way he displayed his wings and shoulder feathers.
The old corn stalk gave him an exposed perch. It also provided a natural setting that helped tell the story of his behavior.
I enjoy photographing Red-winged Blackbirds when they are calling because their posture changes so much. One moment, they may sit quietly. The next, they lean forward, raise their feathers, and sing.
Those brief displays can make the difference between an ordinary perched bird photo and one that shows behavior.
This male gave me a good opportunity to capture the colors and posture that make these birds so interesting.
Why This Wetland Bird Always Gets My Attention
Red-winged Blackbirds are common at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting to photograph.
During breeding season, their calls fill the wetlands. Males compete for territories while females move through the vegetation looking for nesting locations.
I never get tired of watching these birds spread their wings and show off those brilliant red shoulder patches.
Sometimes the most familiar wildlife provides some of the best photography opportunities. This male Red-winged Blackbird was a good reminder of that.