These Tricolored Blackbirds eat an enormous number of grasshoppers and seeds, beetles, weevils, caterpillars, and snails among other things. Redwing blackbirds do not have a white stripe below the shoulder .

[MikeNArk]

Thanks for posting these images which show the differences of the tri colored blackbirds. I've certainly not ever seen one in this area. Nice images with good detail.

[pichaser]

These birds can raise 2 and sometimes 3 broods a season if conditions permit . The last photo shows two males and three females . Their habitat is shrinking and the fact that Tricoloreds will eat grain puts them at odds with farmers . If insects are abundant these birds eat them instead . I watched hundreds of Tricoloreds with two , three or more grasshoppers in their beaks flying back to their young . The state of California will pay farmers for crop losses in order to maintain diversity . One irate farmer massacred a flock of white faced ibis that don't eat grain at all . We need to understand nature better and rely less on pesticides . Thanks MikeNArk for the positive comment .

[Sailor]

A great series - I especially like the last one - for some reason, it puts a smile on my face. And that's always a good thing!

Jer

[pichaser]

Thanks Jer for the encouragement.