> Hello Tweeters:
> I have a question referance different types of blackbirds. I have
> around 30 Red-winged Blackbirds that come to my feeder on a daily
> basis. Last year a had a Yellow-headed Blackbird that would stop by the
> feeder(feeding on the ground) and he would drive off all the
> Red-wingeds. Yesterday, I saw for the first time a pair of Brewer's
> Blackbirds, one male and one female. They were mixed in with all the
> Red-wingeds.
> #1: Is this normal?
> #2: How pervasive are Brewer's Blackbirds?
> #3: I've been told that this side of the Cascade Mtns does not see too
> many Yellow-headeds. Is this true?
> #4: The bird identification book I have says Yellow-headeds don't come
> to feeders. Anyone else had them at their feeders?
> Thank you.
> Chris A. Marcoe
> cam16 at oz.net
> Roy, WA
>
In response to Q#4, I have had Yellow-headed Blackbirds eating the
seed mix on my
platform window feeder in the early spring in Hells Canyon (near
Oxbow, OR).

Brewer's Blackbirds were regular visitors to that feeder all spring
and summer, while the Red-winged were more common on my feeder in the
winter and early spring, with occasional visits the rest of the year.

Cindy McCormack (cbird at mt.arias.net)
Spokane, WA