Blackbird Portrait

Angry Bird

Somebody was not too happy about his photo session—squawking, carrying on, and throwing in a few sharp stares for good measure. Eventually, he settled down, repositioned himself, and gave me his best side for a quick, no-nonsense portrait.

Did you know?

Those namesake red patches on Red-winged Blackbirds are called epaulets, similar to the decorative loops found on the shoulders of uniforms. While they don’t indicate rank, they do play an important role in signaling status—males will actively puff them out to attract mates or defend territory, or hide them when trespassing in another bird’s domain. (Source: Audubon)

Explore more bird photography in our Fine Art Gallery.