bird ID

I've had a blackbird hanging around which looks exactly like a redwing blackbird but without the red. Just a small orange/brown band. None of my guides list such a bird nor do any indicate that a redwing blackbird might only have the yellow band. Any ideas. Sorry, don't have any pictures. If I step outside he leaves for the day.

If you were in California I would suggest it is the bi-colored form that occurs there. I don't know if they exist anywhere else, my Sibley guide only mentions CA. Or maybe it's a juvenile that is just starting to develop it's color?

I'm thinking a juvi Red-winged Blackbird but without an image it's hard to say.

I thought that also, but the guides seemed to indicate that the red was always present. However, after reading your post I remembered the 'all about birds' site and they indicated the imm male might have just the buff bar showing. So, you are correct. Thanks

It's a juvenile male redwing.