This is baby season for birds, and one of the most aggressive nesting birds I’ve ever seen is the Brewers Blackbirds. They aren’t very big, and foraging in a field look pretty harmless. They frequently follow the horses, finding seeds and bugs stirred up by big hooves. Edit: Based on a suggestion in the comments, I concur that at least some in this set might be Brown-headed Cowbirds, who have the same behavior. Will need to get a closer look at beak shape to be certain.
Blackbirds are residents around here, but far more visible in spring and summer when they flock and nest. This field is a wetland.
For more information, see the Cornell site.
Brewer’s Blackbirds nest in colonies of a few to more than 100 pairs. After the first few females have chosen nest sites, others pick among nearby offerings. In some years this means you might find colonies in low shrubs; other years the same birds might nest in treetops. The birds typically nest in shrubs or trees near water, but may also nest in reeds and cattails or, occasionally, on the ground or in tree cavities.
Both Blackbirds and Cowbirds actually come in black and brown.
A very close look makes black bird’s ID certain.
A male Brewers blackbird perches on a fencepost near the road. Brewers males are an iridescent black, as we can see on a sunny day.
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One male and two females:
Both male and female blackbirds are very aggressive at this season, and attack anybody who comes near their nest. I’ve seen them chasing and divebombing crows, ravens, osprey, eagles, vultures…..
...even turkeys. Our local hens are now sitting on nests, venturing out periodically to forage alone. A few days ago a blackbird harrassed one, repeatedly flying at her, pecking her head and back. Poor turkey, standing there perplexed, What did I do? Once she wandered off a little ways the blackbird left off.
People get divebombed too. Interestingly, it’s always from behind. Sometimes they make contact. They take nesting territory very seriously. Fortunately they nest in the same thickets and trees every year here, so we know where to duck.
Black birds in the field. As the horse ambles around, the birds rise up in a swarm, settling again under his feet. They keep clear of his hooves easily.
Do you see birds behaving aggressively at nesting season?
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Update Thursday evening:
I went out to check on the field and birds. I saw Brewers out there, and also a definite ID of Cowbirds...on a horse’s back! Here’s a photo —
(Sorry the pic is small — I’m using the image library instead of photobucket)