Gimme Breakfast!

  Since my early mornings are limited to the garden area until I get the ok to venture further, I have discovered a whole new pastime.  I watch who comes to the bird feeder.  The feeder is not actually your normal, cutesy bought feeder but an overturned glass tabletop set atop of an old wicker end table.  It works, in a fashion, and the birds do not seem to mind.  They only fret over the quantity of seed and the pillaging squirrels.  In fact, the birds will start to call if I am ten minutes late in filling the tray.  

  One of the earliest visitors is a male red-winged blackbird.  This handsome fellow will perch himself on a fence post or a low branch and screech until the seed is poured.  If I do not move quickly enough, he gives me a good fussing.  I am assuming this is the new "boss" of the blackbird world as the others will linger on their branches until he has eaten his fill.  Then, they come to dine. 

  This is not the Old General that has been here for years.  This is the New General.  The change of command took place this spring.  I was truly sorry to see that my old friend was no longer with us as he and I became quite close friends.  The bird was rather tame and, as a commander, was always fair.  The New General is still a bit leery and is ruling with severity.   Perhaps he will mellow once the others cede to his powers but, for now, he still has to declare his leadership occasionally.  There have been a few spats among the birds for territory but, as it always does, it will work out to be satisfactory on all parts.  For now, I shall be happy with having him as my first morning visitor.

The "New" General!

  A few years ago, I was introduced to the word "peopling".  At that time, it seemed an appropriate term to use when I was fed up with the constant whining that I was having to endure.  It was obvious that folks considered whining and complaining to be the equivalent of doing.  One day in mid-afternoon, I had become overtaxed by the chore of "peopling" so I headed to my peaceful spot also known as the pier.  There, I sought refuge from everyone!  Well, that peopling thing is wearing thin on me, once again.  I have decided instead of letting the aggravation get the best of me, I should just withdraw, once again.  I have and I feel great!  This social distancing thing is phenomenal for folks like me who have a great distaste for the drama that others thrive upon.  I want no part of it (or them)!  Life is better that way.  I will stick with the critters of the Bayou as they have no time for whining.

  Early this morning, my escape to the pier brought a bit of happiness.  It has been several years since I have had an encounter with "The General".   This is the name that I had given to the most dominant of the Red-winged Blackbirds that frequent the marsh.  The birds nest there and while the females incubate the eggs, the males keep guard.  For years, one male ruled the entire flock.  He demanded respect from all the underlings and got it.  His wing bars were brilliant and quite large.  The  General wore those epaulets with pride and flashed them whenever he needed to pull rank on the others.  The bird grew quite tame and allowed me to visit often.  He would strut his stuff for my admiration.  We grew to be great friends.  Then, the General went missing and I never saw him again.  The trips to the pier were always lacking for want of a General.  

  This morning, a new "man" is in charge.  There is a new General!  Another male blackbird has earned the rank and is the dominate bird of the territory.  This one has the large, showy epaulets of his predecessor.  In fact, he seems to be almost identical in appearance and in character of the old General making me think that this is an offspring.  The bird allowed me to visit him as I did the old General.  I smiled as I realized that a new generation will rule the marshes!  I salute you, General!  Keep up the good work and follow the path that your predecessor set out for you.  You will do well.

The Tap Dancing General

  It is not often that you see a leader of high rank out cutting a rug on the dance floor.  Usually, they are more reserved and have a certain air about them that does not fit with the idea of commanders putting on a show including tap dancing and singing.  Usually....except maybe on the Bayou.

  Mark and I made our way to the pier early this morning and were just in time to see the most hilarious tap dance of all time.  Step, tap, step, tap, toe up, toe down,shuffle, shuffle, click, click, click.  The General put on quite a show for us as we slowly walked onto his stage (better known as the pier).  As if the dance routine was not entertaining enough, the General insisted on singing during the performance!  His song started on a sharp blunt note and ended with a long trill. 

  The General is a red-winged blackbird that has been supreme commander over the Bayou for the past seven or eight years.  Each spring, the General comes back to the same territory with his bevy of lovely lady blackbirds.  They build nests in the groundsel bushes that overhang the marsh edge and raise their families of little ones.  The General keeps close watch on his family and tries to discourage any intruders.  He flashes his red and yellow epaulettes, spreads his wings and fluffs his feathers to make himself look larger and does a most remarkable territorial dance.  This dance was what we witnessed this morning as he tried his best to chase us back up the hillside.  

  Once the bird gets accustomed to our daily visits, he will settle down and merely watch us from the nearby reeds.  During the first few days of nesting season, he puts on quite the display, not only to chase us away, but to also attract his ladyloves.  It was good to see the General back in his rightful place.  Welcome back, General....and family.  

He's the Boss

  I first noticed him back in the year 2011.  He had come to the Bayou and actually demanded attention which is why I dubbed him "The General". There was no denying that he held command over a league of underlings and that they all submitted to his superiority.  He, after all, was the General.  He did his job well at training those under his command and kept a tight rein his "troops".  I enjoyed watching him go through the daily routine and was always happy to greet him with each rising sun. Each summer it was the same.  Whether he was here during the winter months was questionable but it was hard not to notice him during the summer and fall. The General was boss! 

  The General is a Red-winged Blackbird that calls the marsh and surrounding area his home.  He rules the other blackbirds with an iron hand but seems to be quite fair in doling out his reprimands when needed.  He just takes no flack from any of the other males in the area. They allow him to dine first at the feeders and be first at the water in the birdbath.  All other blackbirds bow to his whim.  He also has a bevy of beauties at his beck and call as all the females adore him.  He has a certain flair about him, that is sure!  His wing bars are brighter and larger than all the other males' bars.  When need be, he can flash those epaulets as a warning of danger.  With that, a whole platoon of underling males come flying in to protect the territory from any marauding critters.  After the General's alerts, I have seen these birds attack snakes, dogs, cats and, yes, even humans.  I, on the other hand, seem to be his friend and can visit without his being alarmed.  He actually came swooping down to be near me today as I was on the pier.  We sat there within arm's reach for a good twenty minutes.  I talked with the bird and he listened.  An occasional trill let me know that he was responding to my efforts to communicate.  He is a smart bird!

  While Red-winged Blackbirds are on the Bayou year round,  I rarely seen the General except during breeding season.  It is then that he makes his presence known as he is protecting his territory.  He and I have a mutual respect for each other.  I am glad he is around as it makes things a bit more interesting.  

The General is back!

I am happy to report that, once again, the "General" has returned to rule the Bayou.  In and among the reeds of the marshes, the avian world has its all-important ruler to bring order and peace.  The "General" being one Red-winged Blackbird who has, for the past few years, reigned as boss over all of the younger male blackbirds of the area.  He is a gorgeous bird with the largest and showiest "epaulets".  His red and gold wing bars are, by far, the largest of any of the other males that visit the feeders.  I have come to believe this is a mark of his authority. Most of the other blackbirds have smaller wing bars and seem to be under  his rule.  Not that any of them seem to mind as I have yet to see any contenders vying for his spot.  He  is just the boss and they accept that.

I watched as the General flashed his epaulets and preened his feathers.  This seemed to attract a number of love-stricken females to his side.  As with other dominate male blackbirds, the General has his harem of wives. Each female will make a nest in the marsh just a few feet above the high tide line.  There, she will lay three to five greenish eggs that have purplish streaks on them.  The mother bird will incubate the eggs for the next few weeks.  The dominate male does well in his job of protecting them from intruders. The mother's mottled coloring makes it nigh on impossible to see her while she is on the nest but sometimes a predator will find her.  It is then that the male will send up his alarm.  He and all of his underlings will attack the intruder. Blackbirds from other territories will even join in the attack.  More oft than not, the nest will be protected.  Soon the eggs hatch and the mother must work hard to feed her young.  Occasionally (but not often), the male bird will help with the raising of the little ones.  Most of the time, he simply perches himself high on the dead pine tree and keeps watch.  The General does well with this job.  He sits well.

I was reading where most Red-winged Blackbirds in the wild only have a lifespan of a couple of years. A few live much longer but that is not the norm.  It seems life is harsh with hawks and other predators constantly on the prowl. The General has been flitting about the Bayou for the past four years now.  I am in hopes that he will be around much longer!  I enjoy his presence.  

The General!

When the General gives orders, everyone on the Hill better listen up and obey! He rules the roost so to speak. He can clear the mess hall in seconds and can bring order to squabbles with just a flash of his epaulets. I have named one of the Red-winged Blackbirds as the General. He is quite the magnificent bird..so much larger than the other male Blackbirds that inhabit the marshes. His wing bars are glorious..the brightest red with a slight bit of gold peeking out from beneath the band. The black feathers that make up the rest of his uniform are the sleekest, shiniest of all the birds. He is gorgeous and I do believe he revels in this grandeur.

The General sits either in the top of a dead pine tree or on the highest limb of a Blackgum Tree that is right on the edge of the marsh near the pier. From this perch, he has full view of the entire area and can keep order of the fifty or so birds that make up his merl. (A merl being a group of Red-winged Blackbirds!) And what a job it must be to keep order! The young males are forever battling over territory! This seems to be more a practice aggression that helps them to defend their nests against all sorts of predators. They are known to attack birds of prey that are much, much larger than themselves and often work in groups to defend the nesting area. The General leads the attack..he is brave..he is valiant. He leads his troops with fairness..he chastises them all!

I have noticed that when the General comes to the feeders or birdbath..all others leave. The other Blackbirds respectfully depart to the edge of the marsh until he is finished with his meal and bath. He flies back to his post atop the dead pine and only then do they dare to make their way back to the feeders. Their ruckus evidently irritates him to no end as he will sometimes merely swoop over them with a screech as if to call them to attention. They mustn't forget that he is boss! Actually, most other birds leave the feeders as well..save for the woodpeckers and of all things the tiny Brown-headed Nuthatch. The General..always keeping peace on the Bayou!