Howdy, Folks; I'm curious about something, my observation that it seems to me that the Redwing Blackbirds that used to almost darken the skies in central Florida (maybe only during their migratory passages) are a rare sight for the last few years... (My, My, what a convoluted sentence that is.).... Has anyone else noted this and does anyone know WHY?... Maybe its just me because I don't get out into the wilderness like I used to, or could it be the developers destroying the habitat that the birds like to linger in... They (the developers) get blamed for most of these types of phenomenon (and rightfully so, I think)... Anyone with info, thoughts, comments?...........Hank
Hank I can't speak for the drop in numbers around you but the redwings we used to get here in the village have simply disappeared. We used to see them feeding on cotoneaster berries every winter - sadly no more. I don't know if they are the same birds that you are talking about or not but I do miss them.
Hank, all of yours must have moved here. There are usually dozens in my backyard, some all year round. Eileen, this is a picture of the ones in the States, it says they are different from the European Redwings tho. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-winged_Blackbird
Henry, I've noticed that too, but then when we moved to an area near a lake and cow pasture we saw more of them. I guess they really don't like all the traffic and development to they've flocked to the marshes and lakes. I used to get them at my feeders, but now we've moved again and I haven't been able to attract any, even though it is only about 2 miles down the road. Eileen, that looks kind of like our robins!
