On Sunday I noticed something odd at one of my feeders. The red-winged blackbirds have been ravaging my feeders in huge flocks for about 6 weeks now, but one of them looked like it was carrying some sticks. I thought it was a little early to be collecting nesting material so I took a closer look through the binos and sure enough the bill was grossly elongated!! I got a few pictures through the window, but the lighting was not great and my windows were not very clean. Looks like probably an ASY bird by the plumage, so it must not be hurting its feeding too much.
After doing some snooping, I've read of other instances of RWBLs having elongated bills. I also read about the chickadee study in Alaska looking at that too. I thought the folks here might like the pics.
Chuck..
Wow!! Never seen anything like that.
ensis
How on earth does it manage to fed itself.