Red-winged Blackbird, First Year Male

I didn't know quite what to make of this bird when I first saw and photographed it; I had to look in the book. Apparently some first year males have this appearance, though I doubt I've ever seen it before. But it sure was handsome. Taken in SW Manitoba.

Well taken Al. I have seen first year males about here but never signing. Very cool.

Lovely shots. It looks like the bird is singing and displaying in the second pic? I grew up watching Red-winged blackbirds in the alfalfa fields here and cannot remember seeing males this young singing. I'm thinking this bird is a male that hatched this year, or possibly an old female. Older female birds can have hormonal changes causing them to grow some, or all male feathers, and even act like males. I've got a 20+ year old Golden pheasant hen that looks exactly like a male, except for eye color.

Stunning shots!

Beautiful shots, Al!

2n10 wrote in post #18015564
Well taken Al. I have seen first year males about here but never signing. Very cool.

Beekeeper wrote in post #18015579
Lovely shots. It looks like the bird is singing and displaying in the second pic? I grew up watching Red-winged blackbirds in the alfalfa fields here and cannot remember seeing males this young singing. I'm thinking this bird is a male that hatched this year, or possibly an old female. Older female birds can have hormonal changes causing them to grow some, or all male feathers, and even act like males. I've got a 20+ year old Golden pheasant hen that looks exactly like a male, except for eye color.

Melissa6 wrote in post #18015706
Stunning shots!

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #18015714
Beautiful shots, Al!

Thank you all for you kind comments. I'm going to have to research this plumage further. I find it hard to believe that this is this year's bird, in other words a juvenile. It's too early in the breeding season.

PS - I just did a search and this is definitely last year's bird. Apparently it takes some males more than one year to develop their black, shiny plumage and the immatures can be quite variable in appearance.

Nice shots.

lonerider519 wrote in post #18016403
Nice shots.

Thank you.