For some parts of North America, nothing says spring like the sound of a male Red-winged Blackbird (listen to a Haikubox recording here) belting out his song. Unlike many, this species migrates during the day, and the males arrive before the females so they can establish their territories. Establishing and defending territory is important since Red-winged Blackbirds are polygynous, meaning each male will mate with several females, including any using his territory. The females are brown to blend in with the habitat, but males with flashier red patches attract more females.
While still a very abundant species, their population is undergoing an unsustainable decline, having shrunk one-third in the last 50 years. Researchers are studying how exposure to potential toxins may impact nesting success of Red-winged Blackbirds and how they can adapt to suburban habitats.