Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Red-winged blackbird takes on a red-tailed hawk

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Red-winged blackbird takes on a red-tailed hawk
A red-winged blackbird attacks a red-tailed hawk. (© Tony’s Takes)

Guarding the family home and your littles ones can be a bit hazardous sometimes, particularly when you don’t get along with the neighbors. Such was the case for this red-tailed hawk.

It was trying to enjoy a quiet morning in a tree next to its nest where its babies were hanging out. The blackbirds and grackles however did not appreciate the threat the raptor posed. Both types of smaller birds tried to chase off the hawk, dive-bombing it when cackling at it didn’t work.

The hawk tried to remain stoic but that was nearly impossible and it screeched, voicing its displeasure with the harassment. Here, one male red-winged blackbird comes in for a sneak attack from behind.

Sounds of spring return to the Colorado plains

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Sounds of spring return to the Colorado plains
A red winged blackbird calls out from the cattails. (© Tony’s Takes)

There are a few, distinctive bird calls that you can’t help but hear frequently at the lower elevations of the Centennial State. Among them, the red-winged blackbird and western meadowlark. Both have started to arrive on the Front Range and yesterday a number of them put on a nice show.

Red-winged blackbirds are often found just like this guy, hanging out near wetlands, calling out. Western meadowlarks hang out in the open grasslands and prairie, oftentimes perching on fence posts.

A western meadowlark sings the song of spring. (© Tony's Takes)
A western meadowlark sings the song of spring. (© Tony’s Takes)

Enough! No more snow!

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Enough! No more snow!
A male red winged blackbird seemed unhappy with the falling snow. (© Tony’s Takes)

This red-winged blackbird seemed a bit less than thrilled with our late season snowstorm this past weekend. These guys are quite common here the warmer months, hanging out along shorelines and making their distinctive calls. It is kind of tough to get a good pic of them if only because of their dark plumage but overcast skies helped out on this chilly morning.

 

Red-tailed hawk catches a snake, gets chased off

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Red-tailed hawk catches a snake, gets chased off
A red tailed hawk holds onto its bullsnake breakfast. (© Tony’s Takes)

These aren’t the greatest of pics but the story and action are kind of neat so I figured I would share them.

Wrapping up my photo drive the other day, I spot this hawk sitting on a light pole. Normally I probably wouldn’t even stop except I noticed it had something in its talons – a bullsnake.

Unfortunately for the hawk, the neighboring red-winged blackbirds also noticed it was there and they were less than thrilled about having a raptor in their neighborhood. They soon began pestering it, prompting the hawk to leave. The blackbirds pursued, actually striking the hawk in mid-air multiple times.

The best action took place a long ways away but it is still fun to see.

Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony's Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony's Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony's Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony's Takes)
Red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk and its snake breakfast. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red-winged blackbird defends its home against an invader

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Red-winged blackbird defends its home against an invader
A deer is about to be attacked by a male red-winged blackbird from behind. (Tony’s Takes)

Taken late one evening during our recent visit to Ridgway State Park. We were watching some deer in the field below our campsite when suddenly there was a bit of action.

Apparently some nesting red-winged blackbirds did not take kindly to the deer grazing near their home. The male blackbird was quite aggressive defending its territory, constantly dive-bombing the deer.

Here, one young deer walks through, focused on the female blackbird. Little did it know that the male was approaching from behind. A quick hit on the rump from the bird sent the deer running.

Not the best pictures given it was after sunset and minimal light but a fun bit of action to see.

A young deer is chased off by a male red-winged blackbird. (Tony's Takes)
A young deer is chased off by a male red-winged blackbird. (Tony’s Takes)
A deer is chased off by a red-winged blackbird. (Tony's Takes)
A deer is chased off by a red-winged blackbird. (Tony’s Takes)

Bald eagle fends off attacking red-winged blackbirds

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Bald eagle fends off attacking red-winged blackbirds
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)

Maybe the eagle wasn’t social distancing properly or perhaps they just didn’t want any neighbors, but a bunch of red-winged blackbirds let this eagle know its presence wasn’t welcome.

I visited a lake in northern Colorado where one of my favorite pairs of bald eagles hangs out. As the sun rose, the male was hanging out in one of their favorite trees. I snapped some pics of him but then the neighboring red-winged blackbirds started dive-bombing him.

He waived the white flag and flew off, doing a quick tour of the lake, and then relocating to a tree a ways away from the first. This was fine by me as the new perch gave me a nice, clear view.

Well, unfortunately for the eagle, it wasn’t long until the blackbirds showed up again and began hassling him. He demonstrated a lot of patience, dealing with their incessant cackling at him. When that didn’t work, the blackbirds became more aggressive, taking turns dive-bombing at him and at times actually pecking him.

That was enough for the eagle and he headed off to the other side of the lake for quieter environs with, hopefully, friendlier neighbors.

A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony's Takes)
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony's Takes)
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony's Takes)
A bald eagle gets hassled by red-winged blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red-winged Blackbird bully Red-tailed Hawk

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A fun little bit of action here. The Blackbirds had staked out a marshy area as their own and when the hawk decided to patrol overhead, the littler birds were not shy about chasing off the raptor. It was cool to watch as the Blackbirds chased and dived at the hawk.

I’ve seen small birds be aggressive in defending their homes against raptors, Kingbirds and Crows are infamous for this, but this was the first time I have seen Red-winged Blackbirds do it.

A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk is chased by Red-winged Blackbirds. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red-winged Blackbird sounds the changing of the seasons

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Red-winged Blackbird sounds the changing of the seasons. You know spring is coming when you begin to hear these noisy fellows. Soon after sunrise the other day this one was making sure every lady in the area knew he was awake and around. 😉

A male Red-winged Blackbird makes a lot of noise early in the morning. (© Tony’s Takes)
A male Red-winged Blackbird makes a lot of noise early in the morning. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red-winged Blackbirds establish roadblock

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Cresting a small hill the other day I see a large dark mass across the road. It took me a few seconds to realize exactly what it was – a congregation of Red-winged Blackbirds. There were hundreds, probably thousands, of them there. This image only represents about a third of what was on the road and on each side of it. It was pretty nuts. During the winter these birds will gather like this in these massive flocks, oftentimes segregated by sex. In this case, the majority of these were females (brown colored).

Red-winged Blackbirds congregate on a road in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged Blackbirds congregate on a road in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged Blackbirds congregate on a road in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Red-winged Blackbirds congregate on a road in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)