SEXUAL POLITICS IN THE BLACKBIRD WORLD

Male red-winged blackbirds have been in the park for a few weeks now. They have been noisily displaying their colourful epaulets and sparring around the wetland areas with other males to gain possession of the best territories for food and breeding safety. You may have been attacked by a male who saw you as a rival, particularly if you were wearing red. The females, who are drab and much dowdier than the males, will arrive soon, check over the "possessions" of each male, and then choose their partner by deciding which can offer the best. The weaker males with the worst territories will probably not pair off at all! Remind you of something?

Terry Smith