WINGSCAPES

Audubon's Red-winged Starling

When John James Audubon first sketched the Red-winged Blackbird, he called it not by the name we know it today but by another - the Red-winged Starling. To those accustomed to seeing the male in its jet black plumage adorned with bold red shoulder patches, this association with starlings might seem a little odd.

 
However when this same bird is seen with heavily worn feathers (such as in this image of a male Red-winged Blackbird recently recorded using an Audubon BirdCam and uploaded by Rick of Tamarac, Florida), it is a little more understandable how the ornithologists of Audubon's day might have seen a resemblance between it and the European Starling.

 

Jeff Gordon announced as new President of the ABA

Congratulations to our friend Jeff Gordon on becoming the next President of the American Birding Association. Jeff is a wonderfully nice and down-to-earth guy. The ABA has had a rocky recent history. At times they've been a bit distant and difficult to work with. We are sure that things will change under Jeff's leadership. His appointment will be good for the ABA and good for birding. Congrats Jeff! Wingscapes looks forward to working with you. - Bart