Look At Me!

It would be hard not to notice the big personality that male red-winged blackbirds have, with their flashy shoulders and loud, constant calls.  

They crave standing out in the crowd, and love perching on elevated vantage points where they can SEE, and BE SEEN.  

Not much slips past them as the take commanding positions overlooking their domains, and letting everyone else in the vicinity know that it IS their domain.

They are unaware of how little they are, compared to most other creatures on the earth.  They simply feel that everything is theirs and they will tell you all about it, especially if you get too close.

These photos were taken in the spring, when the males are rounding up females to mate with.  

They are clearly saying, "NOTICE MEEE!"

Their scientific name is Agelaius phoeniceus.  The first part indicates belonging to a flock of birds, and the second part means "red".  There you have it!