Rondeau Ric

We went to Mitchell's Bay on Lake St. Clair to look for the yellow-headed blackbirds that were being seen. They were exactly where they were reported to be. Birders know that is not necessarily the case, birds have wings and they use them. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus The male Yellow-headed Blackbird defends a small territory of prime nesting reeds. He may attract up to eight females to nest within his area. The male helps feed nestlings, but usually only in the first nest established in his territory. The other females have to feed their young all by themselves.

Near Comber Ontario,Jan 13/17 Went to see the yellow headed blackbirds,which we did. They were in a mixed flock of thousands of cowbirds,starlings and house sparrows. This is a small portion of the flock. And here is one of the stars of the show hiding in plain sight. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 

Yellow headed black birds are fairly rare in our area. There is only one spot I know of to see and photograph these birds. Each time I tried for a photo the bird would be up high on a phragmities stalk.  As soon as it landed the reed would slowly bend and the bird would sink into the reeds making for a less than ideal photo. I guess you take what you can get. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus The male Yellow-headed Blackbird defends a small territory of prime nesting reeds. He may attract up to eight females to nest within his area. The male helps feed nestlings, but usually only in the first nest established in his territory. The other females have to feed their young all by themselves. The oldest Yellow-headed Blackbird on record was 11 years, 8 months old. source: Cornell Lab or Ornithology.