By Cathy Warwick

Guess who is coming back to Calgary this spring, the Red-winged Blackbird! This feels like a spring where Mother Nature will roll out the “white carpet” for these hardy birds. Hopefully they won’t turn right around and head back south.

For birders the Red-winged Blackbird is, thankfully, relatively easy to spot. They are widespread and, as birding books like Sibley’s call them, “conspicuous”, that means they make themselves seen. The males are glossy black with a military-esque red and yellow striped patch on their shoulders. The females are much harder to identify, and are almost sparrow-like, although larger. If you have ever seen a female out of context, as I have on a conifer tree, you will know what I mean.

One of the main attributes of these birds is that they are highly territorial, befitting their military regalia. Their distinctive tumbling song can be translated to “Stay out of this swampy area, it’s mine!” repeated endlessly, all day. This is the male of course, chasing other Red-winged Blackbirds out and any other perceived threats to nests, including humans sometimes. His song is also for the benefit of the females, he will show off his red shoulders and puff up a bit and then sing loudly – ”conk-la-reeee”. 

Meanwhile the females are quietly building the nests in the territory. They lash their sweet cup nests to reeds or tall grasses. As a finishing touch they line the nest with fine grasses. A male can have many female mates, although it turns out the eggs in his territory are not always his. The little swampy area has more drama than a Mexican soap opera.

If you want an (almost) guaranteed sighting of a Red-winged Blackbird head to Ralph Klein Park. This is a 30 acre wetland area in the eastern part of the city that could, frankly, use more visitors. The last time I was there it seemed to be just me and my son. These parks need more appreciation, to encourage more parks and more preserved wetlands. An unwilling teenager and his mom are not going to cut it.

In between all the Red-winged Blackbirds you will see a lot of other wetland species. Last time we were lucky enough to see a Black-crowned Night Heron. They also have a great interpretive center, similar to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

Welcome back Red-winged Blackbird! I can’t wait to hear your song, although I can’t guarantee I will stay out of your territory.