Female or Juvie RW Blackbird?

[Sue Thomson]

Please help me ID these birds. Taken at Chichester Wetlands, Kelowna, BC Canada last May. I *think* they are female, but I suppose could also be male juveniles??? Is there a definitive way to tell?

I looked at Google Images and saw this one - and that really confused me! http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.htm...43&mode=single Hope you can see that link - I had to create a membership to view it larger than what Google images showed. Their description is:

Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Copyright © A. Morris/VIREO
Canada; Ontario: Point Pelee Provincial Park
Date: May 15
adult female
displaying

*****************

Surely, the female, even displaying, does not have the red epaulets???

Here's my pics:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...DSC_4242-1.jpg


http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...0-DSC_5256.jpg



Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Sue

[John Chardine]

Sue- Female Red-wings show a tinge of red in the "epaulets" as they are called, so the Vireo image looks fine (image made by BPN's Artie Morris no less!).

Your first image link looks like a Song Sparrow and the second is indeed a female Red-winged Blackbird.

[Rich Williams]

I agree with John. Song Sparrow and Female Red-winged