Boat-tailed Grackle (male) "Atlantic" subspecies Quiscalus major torreyi Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 4 March 2009
Red-winged Blackbird (male) Nominate subspecies Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Nepean, Ontario 23 May 2008 On my lunch break one afternoon I headed out to the nearby conservation area to enjoy the warmer weather. Unfortunately it was an overcast day, but it was nice to be out of the office for awhile, so I didn't mind. I must have been a little too close to an unseen nest, because the red-wings were not pleased with my presence there. This male was making a high-pitched call, alerting every other blackbird in the area that I was snooping around. I took a couple of great close-ups before leaving them alone.