'Smoking' amorous red-winged blackbird captured

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A group of photos taken recently show a male red-winged blackbird dancing and singing on a branch with a puff of warm breath illuminated by the sun in cold air as if it is smoking.

A red-winged blackbird perched on a branch on a cold morning looks like it is smoking. /VCG Photo

The red-winged blackbird from behind. /VCG Photo

When it comes to the breeding season, male birds will experience some slight changes in feather color. A red patch with a yellow border on its shoulder becomes noticeable when the male tries to attract female blackbirds by dancing and singing their hearts out on branches while the vibrant red and yellow will be seen washed out dramatically on a scaly looking bird during the nonbreeding period.

However, the red and yellow epaulet speaks more than just a love language.

Male red-winged blackbird. /VCG Photo

Whenever you see a male erect his epaulets, hunches his shoulders and fans out his tail, he is probably either warning other males to get out of their territory or seeking to impress females. This playboy blackbird may mate with up to 15 females during breeding time. The red and yellow color is often revealed when a male rests on his own territory, serving as a living sign of his turf.

A female red-winged blackbird. /VCG Photo

There are times they choose to showcase other motives by keeping the colored patch concealed. In order to eat with other birds in peace on neutral territory, they usually hide their epaulets as much as possible to avoid triggering unfriendly responses.