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| Wild Birds Unlimited |
Conk-a-ree they sing out from the reedy edges of ponds and lakes where they feed and nest, V-rrrrreee! Their voices provide the sound track of lazy summer days. Males are polygynous, with five or more nesting females in their territory. Their song may be uncomplex but they put their whole bodies and voices into singing it-- wings rounded, tail fanned out and heads in the air. Their singing style has its own name, "song spread." The males show those lovely "epaulets" of the upper wings to advantage. The shoulder badges on the wings stand out strikingly against jet black feathers. He's got this one flashy attribute to boast of with his robust singing and he makes the most of it. "If you've got it, flaunt it." Redwings form immense flocks, in the hundreds and tens of thousands, during the winter. Within this family group are other blackbirds as well as Screaming Cowbirds (I kid you not) and Boat-tailed Grackles, among others.
