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Colorful blackbirds make Albany stop

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By Brad McBee

This past week, an interesting bird has been migrating through our area and has elected to settled down for a while. 

The Yellow-headed Blackbird winters in Mexico and migrates in the spring north all the way to the upper regions of Canada. They typically breed in marshy freshwater and reedy lakes, where seed and insects are abundant. 

The usual migratory route takes the bird further west through New Mexico and western Texas. This year, large numbers of the Yellow-headed Blackbirds have ended up in Albany.

Feeding in large groups at local feeders and in grassy areas, their unmistakable yellow head stands out. A somewhat noisy bird, they are fun to watch as they try to grab seed before someone else gets it. 

On Sunday, I had one Yellow-headed Blackbird at the feeders in my backyard mixed in with mostly Brown-headed Cowbirds. 

By Monday, word must have got out about my feeders and hundreds of Yellow-headed Blackbirds filled my backyard. 

Knowing they will soon be headed north, I have been enjoying them every day and thanking God for the gift of their presence.