Millions of blackbirds are found in parts of Europe as well as the 15 different kinds found throughout the United States and Canada.
The most numerous and perhaps the prettiest is the red-winged blackbird. They get their name because males have shoulders tipped with bright red and yellow. The rest of them is mostly black.
The eastern red-winged lives from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The San Diego, Rio Grande and Nevada red-wings live west of the Rockies.
Red-wings nest in large groups in swamps, marshes, in cattails or tall grass. Nests are usually made of mud, plant fibers and grass, with small twigs woven in and lined with soft material such as moss, soft leaves and feathers.
Farmers like them, not only because of their pleasant calls, but mainly because they eat weed seeds and many harmful insects. Some insects they eat are too big to swallow whole. The bird will hook it on a sharp thorn and dispose of it in smaller bites.
Large groups often gather in open fields, spreading out to find seeds and insects. As they all move forward, those in the back soon discover nothing left for them and take off, flying over others, landing just ahead of them and finding plenty to eat. When the others find nothing left, they will fly ahead and begin feeding in a new part of the field. This goes on until the field has been cleaned. Then the flock will fly to another feeding area.
In some parts of North America, some red-wings migrate to warm winter climates in the fall, while others remain behind and are okay as long as the winter is mild, but sad to say, many do not survive when severe cold sets in. It is mostly the females that migrate, the tougher males merely wait for their return in the spring.
Birds of every kind form an important part of God’s creation, and the Bible often refers to His care over them. But His love and care for us is far greater. King David said, “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!” Psalm 139:17. In another place he said, “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation.” Psalm 25:4,5. To all who pray to Him in that way, He will show His love and kindness. Have you ever asked the Lord to teach you and lead you?
NOVEMBER 6, 1994
ML-11/06/1994