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Description
Though this red-winged blackbird is a common bird in my state, (Kansas) I had never gotten a good picture of one. They tend to frequent more rural areas and I'm a city boy. In certain light conditions and, depending on how it's sitting on a branch, the patches aren't always easily seen. It can be mistaken for other similar birds without the shoulder patches. Because of their dark feathers it can be a difficult exposure. Flight can compound the challenge. Their call (song) is what gives them away, as it's loud and distinctive and they tend to be pretty vocal. Also, it's my observation that they have exceedingly sharp, almost needle-like beaks, (or at least this one did.)

Description
Though this red-winged blackbird is a common bird in my state, (Kansas) I had never gotten a good picture of one. They tend to frequent more rural areas and I'm a city boy. In certain light conditions and, depending on how it's sitting on a branch, the patches aren't always easily seen. It can be mistaken for other similar birds without the shoulder patches. Because of their dark feathers it can be a difficult exposure. Flight can compound the challenge. Their call (song) is what gives them away, as it's loud and distinctive and they tend to be pretty vocal. Also, it's my observation that they have exceedingly sharp, almost needle-like beaks, (or at least this one did.)