We’ve been reminded what winter can be. For the first time in a long while, we find ourselves bracing for the cold whenever we head outside. We’ve had weeks of nightly temperatures below freezing and there have even been stretches where the daytime temps are below freezing as well. This has kept the activity at my feeders at a consistently high level, but the community at the feeders has become very predictable, and possibly even a little boring.
There are roughly 20 different species that show up for breakfast at a very dependable rate. I refer to these species as “the regulars,” and they include such notable species as blue jays, black-capped chickadees, Northern cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinches, downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers, and even a pair of Carolina wrens that have recently moved into the neighborhood. The numbers of these birds can also be impressive. On Feb. 8, I saw 74 goldfinches on my deck, and on Feb. 10, I saw 22 white-throated sparrows show up for a late dinner. There may not be a large number of species, but each one has been showing up in large numbers.
With regard to the winter finches, this winter has turned out to be something of a bust for me. There is a lone male purple finch that shows up once or twice per month, but it wasn’t the irruption that I was hoping for. There was a brief moment back in November when it looked like evening grosbeaks might stay in my neighborhood for the winter, but I haven’t seen even a suggestion of one in three months. No pine grosbeaks, no pine siskins, and no common redpolls. I can say this with some authority because I have spent hours and hours watching and waiting. They just never showed up.
But now we are starting to transition into late winter and there are birds headed in our direction that will surprise us whenever they arrive. The great flocks of blackbirds are sure to arrive soon and the vanguard of this invasion always contains red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). A species most closely associated with cattail marshes, these birds often arrive when the snow is still falling and their presence never fails to elicit feelings of concern. How do they manage to survive in such cold conditions?
I have done a small bit of research with the arrival times of the red-winged blackbird in my own yard and I have noticed something interesting. Over the past 17 years, the earliest arrival time for this species was Jan. 11, 2022. During that same period of time, the latest arrival was on March 15, 2015. From 2009 to 2016 there was one first appearance in January, two in February and five in March. In the period from 2017 to 2025, things appeared to change a little. There were three first arrivals in January, four in February and only one in March. It looked like the birds were arriving earlier, which may have been a reflection of the milder winters that we’ve had for the last decade.
This year is a little different. Bitterly cold and very snowy, this is a winter like the ones I remember from my childhood. At present there is simply nothing for the blackbirds to eat and so they linger in the south where conditions are more favorable. But sooner or later they will appear and it will be a surprise. One day there is no sign of them and the next there is that familiar “chonk-a-reee” song floating across the meadow. One day there will be blackbirds on the deck competing for food with all of the regulars. One day they will appear in numbers beyond counting.
An interesting thing about this initial wave of red-wings is the fact that the flocks consist entirely of male birds. Some are full adults, while others will show signs that they are still quite young. A full adult male has black feathers from head to toe with only a power accent of red and yellow feathers on their wings. The position of these colorful feathers suggests to the human eye that they are epaulettes on the shoulders of a military uniform, but the feathers are actually located on the wrists of the birds’ wings, which happen to be held snugly against the body. If you lift both of your hands up to your shoulders you will see that your wrists align with the joints, the wings of birds being homologous structures with human arms.
Younger males can have patches of brown feathers on their heads and on their backs. If you look at today’s photo you will see that this bird is definitely a young one, possibly arriving for his first spring as an adult. There are speckles on the back of his head and on his back. You will also notice that some of the feathers on his wing have edges that are light brown; another common field mark of youth among birds. Then, there are the patches of red feathers with gold trim that seem to be largely absent from this particular male. Well, it turns out that males can adjust these feathers so they are hidden, or on full display. No need to draw attention to yourself if there are no females to impress.
We’ve already made it through January with no red-winged blackbirds, but the countdown clock is definitely ticking and they could literally show up any day now. Or, will we have to wait for another month? As long as the cold lingers, I think the birds will hold off on their arrival, but there is a huge advantage to showing up early and claiming prime territories as soon as possible. There is always a risk to arriving early, but the rewards can be compelling. All we have to do now is keep a sharp lookout as we all await the arrival of spring.
Bill Danielson has been a professional writer and nature photographer for 28 years. He has worked for the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, the Nature Conservancy and the Massachusetts State Parks and he currently teaches high school biology and physics. For more information visit www.speakingofnature.com, Speaking of Nature on Facebook, or the Speaking of Nature Podcast.