At the Walmart Buffalo Ridge Pond
The Red-winged Blackbirds are here at the freshwater marshes around The Villages, FL now. I have spotted these gorgeous male Red-winged Blackbirds in many spots around the lakes and ponds. The birds often hunt for insects to eat by landing on larger lily pads, Cattail Reeds, and Willow Trees. The female is a much less vividly colored brown bird resembling a female Cowbird, Grackle, Starling or even a larger sparrow. The males have vivid, deep orange-red and yellow bars on the shoulders.
Red-winged Blackbirds dine on insects, worms, spiders, and during the Winter and early Spring, they add seeds and grains to their diet. The Red-winged Blackbirds can be noisy when there are a lot of them around. These birds are commonly spotted in many places throughout the United States. I was happy to have seen the handsome males at the Walmart “Buffalo Ridge” pond off of CR 466, and also at the Lake Deaton area Sharon Weichen Nature Preserve in The Villages, FL.
In Flight at the Walmart Pond
At the Walmart Pond
At the Sharon Weichens Nature Preserve
Wildlifewatcher's Blog 
Comments on: "Male Red-winged Blackbirds" (7)
Beautiful birds! Seeing those bright wing patches and hearing their call are more things I look forward to in spring.
Hi Montucky, Glad you like the Red-winged Blackbirds. I do too! These birds were additionally something I enjoyed about having a pond at the little farm we owned back up in TN a few years ago. Here we have the Blackbirds on our many small lakes and golf course ponds. Marshlands (called Prairies around here), too! Have a wonderful day!
Gorgeous birds.. I seldom see them here –but they ‘say’ that we have them in our area…
I published a post today –so check it out when you get a minute.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Betsy, I have only seen them on the tiny “Spring Lake” on St. George near Peavine. They love Cattails and that area seems to have the needed habitat. Maybe there also could be a few on smaller lakes and golf course ponds? Perhaps also on Lake Dartmoor on Rotherham Dr. on the back side where there is a tiny mostly unused small boat canoe launch. Can’t say for sure about Dartmoor but I think maybe. Glad you posted – I’ll certainly have a look. Have a fabulous day!
Hello, I love the Red-wing Blackbirds. The males look flashy with the color win their wings. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
Sorry about my typing. should be “on their wings.
Hi Eileen, No problem. I love the Red-winged Blackbirds too. Beautiful little birds. It has been very windy here so I have not been birding in several days (nesting time, too and a lot of our birds have returned North). Have a great day tomorrow!