As an added bonus, on one walk I was able to watch a scarlet red Robin sized bird with pure black wings singing and … In the spring of 2018, I spent some time walking along a part of the Bruce Trail managed by Conservation Halton that is astonishingly full of spring wildflowers. Among our most familiar birds, Red-wings seem to sing their nasal songs in every marsh and wet field from coast to coast. For some birds, while their plumage may not be entirely red, specific red markings are their most noticeable feature. Male Scarlet Tanagers are among the most blindingly gorgeous birds in an eastern forest in summer, with blood-red bodies set off by jet-black wings and tail. The common name for the red-winged blackbird is taken from the mainly black adult male's distinctive red shoulder patches, or epaulets, which are visible when the bird is flying or displaying. It is the national bird of Honduras. Gray legs and feet. Shoulders: The red scapulars of a male red-winged blackbird are easily visible in flight, though the typical yellow bottom border is more difficult to see unless the bird is nearby or flying relatively slowly. Red-winged Blackbird: Small blackbird with jet-black body and bright red shoulder patches edged with yellow on bottom. Runs or hops while foraging on the ground. At rest, the male also shows a pale yellow wingbar. Red-winged blackbirds have a yellow or buffy lower bar on their colorful wing patch, while the tricolored blackbird's wing patch is clearly red and white. Strong direct flight on rapid wing beats. Summer Tanagers spend their winters in South America, so birdwatchers in the U.S. can expect these birds in the yard only in spring, summer, and early fall.The all-red male (left) seems a strange partner to the all-over greenish-yellow female (below left). The only bird in North America with this unique plumage. While the red-headed woodpecker has a completely red head and neck, the red-bellied woodpecker has a red streak starting at the beak. They are notably bold, and several will often attack a larger bird, such as a hawk or crow, that flies over their nesting area. Each patch has a light yellow stripe below, and can be displayed in varying amounts. The wings are also black and white but with a distinct pattern, like a zebra. Both males and females share this bold coloration. Males in breeding plumage are very familiar birds to many people. Red-headed Woodpecker. The red shoulder patches of the male, hidden under body feathers much of the time, are brilliantly displayed when he is singing. Red-winged Blackbirds display marked sexual dimorphism. Eats seeds, grains, berries, fruits, insects, caterpillars, spiders, snails, grubs and mollusks. Runs or hops while foraging on the ground.