Actually it sounds anything but friendly. It sounds something like—“Watch out, guy, you’re in my space.” No matter. The voice still makes you feel things are right with the world.

It’s the vocalization of a raucous, feisty Red-winged Blackbird. There’s much about this bird to admire.

It’s reliable, one of the earliest migratory neighbors returning to our northern wetlands, prairies and even roadside ditches.

The males show up first, staking out territory that suits their fancy and might be appreciated by females who arrive later.

These guys are big and tough blackbirds with attitude, and bright red patches on their wings.

That healthy red is there to impress females, intimidate rivals, and make humans who care about such things stop and stare.

But even if you don’t sight the bird, when you hear its voice you feel that everything’s okay. And you say to him, under your breath: “Hey, old friend. Welcome home. Always good to hear from you.”

Footnote:

With the help of the National Audubon Society we can all listen to a Red-winged Blackbird right here and now…just go to the following link and scroll to “Songs & Calls.”

Audubon!https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-winged-blackbird

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