The Red Wing Blackbird is one of the earliest spring migrants. Most arrive in february. I have seen them on the Wheat Ridge Green Belt in January.
The males arrive before the females to establish their territories. The male spends much of his time in the tops of bushes or clinging to old cattail stalks.
The males are very aggressive defending their territory. They have been known to attach crows, ravens, magpies, hawks, ospreys, and have even been seen riding the backs of crows pecking with fury.
I have had a male Redwing swoop at me in alarm as I walked along a trail, trying to drive me off.
The Redwing female lays her eggs in Spring; they take about 11 to 14 days to hatch. They usually raise two broods a season.
Redwing Blackbirds can live up to 14 years.
