Red-Winged Blackbirds

 

One of the beautiful sounds of a summer day in Oregon is the call of the red-winged blackbird. We attract them to our yard with suet hanging from the pine tree outside. They hang off of it to snack and will also do their best to fit on the regular feeder to grab a mouthful of seed, or at least long enough to knock some down to the ground below for a meal.

Red-winged blackbirds are quite common in Southern Oregon, at least they are here in our backyard. The males are easy to identify with their jet black coloring except for the red and yellow marks on their shoulders. They are also one of the few I can identify just by their songs.

If you keep seed on the ground in your yard, you will have plenty of visitors. Watch for the females too. They are a little harder to spot. The females have streaky brown feathers and can look a lot like a sparrow.

What Does A Blackbird Tell You? 

Getting a visit from a red-wing blackbird brings the message that you have a positive change in your future. Blackbirds are bold and aggressively go after what they need. Native Americans consider our blackbird friends to be an important spirit animal, symbolizing change and spiritual growth. For many tribes they are a good omen and important totem.

5 Cool Facts About Red-Winged Blackbirds

Blackbirds are polygynous. That means one handsome male can have up to 15 females at the same time. Scientists did check out the territorial males who have multiple females in their “domain” and up to half of the young had different dads.

The males are super protective of their territories during the breeding season. They spend more than a quarter of their day chasing away other males, attacking predators, and chasing off bigger critters like horses or even people.

Blackbirds like to hang out in flocks. In summer they hang out in small groups near the wetlands where they breed. In the winter, they will huddle up in groups of several million birds, including other species of blackbirds and starlings. In the morning, the members spread out up to fifty miles to look for food and then gather back up in the evening.

There is one California sub-species that does not have yellow on their wings. Scientists believe this is a way for them to recognize each other and what territory they are from.

The oldest blackbird on record lived fifteen years and nine months of age.

 

 Where Do Red-Winged Blackbirds Live?

Red-Winged Blackbirds live in marshes year-round in the United States. They also enjoy meadows and fields near ponds. We live in an area right next to a creek with a pond behind the house across the street. There are quite a few fields nearby too, big agricultural areas.

What Do Red-Winged Blackbirds Eat?

In the summer, the red-winged blackbirds enjoy lots of juicy insects or spiders to eat. In the winter, they search for seeds like corn and wheat. If you live near water and want to attract these beautiful birds to your yard, put out seeds and suet in the early spring and late fall. They love to eat seeds right off the ground.

How Do Red-Winged Blackbird Communicate?

Our blackbird friends communicate with each other both vocally and visually. They have different calls for different emotions with one for when they are alarmed or calling their mates or even just checking in with each other.

How Do Red-Winged Blackbirds Breed?

They begin building nests between March and May. The males picks the nesting site and defends it. Once a female accepts him and the site, they build a nest by weaving together a basket made of plant materials. Then the female will lay three to five eggs. The female will sit on then for around twelve days until they hatch. The chicks can fly and are independent within two or three weeks. They reach adulthood in two or three years.

Red Shouldered Hawk

 

One of the first activities I started with this new mantra of “Love the Little Stuff”, was to take a walk outside and look up. I had never paid attention to clouds and birds before...and one of the first I noticed was a red-shouldered hawk I named Copper sitting on top of a telephone pole right outside.

 

What Does A Red Shouldered Hawk Tell You? 

The Cherokee people believe when you see a red shouldered hawk you have been visited by a messenger of vision. When you see one, whatever you were thinking about is going to come true and manifest in your life. It is telling you to clear your mind because someone is trying to get your attention. They represent clear vision and great focus.

Cool Facts About Red Shouldered Hawk

Hawks build their nests high in the trees during the winter or early spring and will decorate them with various green plants

While they are flying, you can see translucent white crescents at the tips of their wings.

The rhythm of their flight is flap, flap, glide

They are named for their reddish-brown shoulder patches

Unlike their red tailed cousins, the red shoulder soars less and prefers to perch in the cover of trees.

  

What Do Red Shouldered Hawks Eat?

Small mammals, smaller birds, reptiles, large insects and even crayfish in some area of the country.

How Do Red Shouldered Hawks Communicate?

While they are courting, the hawks can be one of the noisiest raptors. Their calls can be heard for miles. While flying, they call a fast series of whistles that slur together.

How Do Red Shouldered Hawks Breed?

Red shouldered hawks are monogamous and tend to return to the same nesting spot year after year. They have a crazy courtship ritual. The male and female will fly together and sometimes roll over on their backs. You may see them fly upside down for a short distance.

Western Gray Squirrel

 Squirrels love nuts! It is a stereotype, but it is true. They also enjoy acorns and seed. If you have a bird feeder set for your feathered friends, you will probably see a few furry ones too. Any extra food they can collect is stashed in their nest or buried somewhere in their territory. They can find these caches months later with their excellent sense of smell. That comes in handy when the cold winter months hit.

   

What Does A Western Gray Squirrel Tell You? 

When a grey squirrel visits your world, it is a reminder to stay positive. No matter how busy or hurried it is, the gray squirrel always bounces from limb to limb in a playful and joyful manner. What a healthy way to live your life. Squirrels also remind us to prepare for the future. It plans, works hard, makes strategies, and is ready for anything.

Cool Facts About Western Grey Squirrel

They are great tree climbers and use their tails to balance

If they fall out of a tree, they can use their tail as a parachute or a cushion

They live 7 or 8 years in the wild

Their teeth never stop growing but stay short because the squirrels are constantly chewing

A baby squirrel is only about an inch long

 

                Some pictures of Randy hiding peanuts around the yard

Where Do Western Gray Squirrels Live?

Western gray squirrels will make their home in a hollow tree or in a nest called a drey. They make the nest out of twigs and then line it with moss or grass. Abandoned woodpecker holes also make a great place to take up residence. We have seen our squirrel couple duck into a nest hole about 40 feet off the ground in one of the nearby trees.

How Do Western Gray Squirrels Communicate?

Squirrels are intelligent and intuitive. You may have heard them squawking from the trees if you get too close to their territory. They are quite vocal and will even talk smack to predators telling them to bug off. They do not have a language like we do, but they chatter away at each other and seem to understand the exchange by instinct. They may make loud barking sounds, flick their tails and stamp their feet when they feel threatened. They also use their tails to communicate, pointing out danger. Their sound system and body language is quite complex.

How Do Western Gray Squirrels Breed?

The squirrels mate during the winter or early spring. You may see the females looking a little battered since this is often a violent process where they may bite or hurt each other. The kits will be born soon after and stay in the nest for up to six months. The females are also very territories and will guard their area and even fight other female squirrels.

~@~ Disclaimer: I like to share a few themed products from Amazon that are perfect for animal lovers. If you links to buy stuff, I earn a few dollars. It is not a fortune, but does help to pay for the domain name or other expenses...so thank you!

#1 - Gray Squirrel Figurine

Lifelike 3 inch wildlife figure. This makes a great decoration for your desk or a fun toy for kids to learn about squirrels.

#2 - Gray Squirrel at Pacific Avenue

Adorable storybook about Gray Squirrel who is hunting for nuts and seeds while avoiding neighborhood predators. 

#3 - Small Crocheted Squirrel

I love this one!! Not just because it is our gray squirrel, but look at the positive message! What a fun little gift for your favorite person.