Early Birds

A few of the birds that have arrived in Chicago so far this Spring.

Clockwise from top left

Male House Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, male Red Winged Blackbird,

Robin, Song Sparrow, House Finch, White Throated Sparrow,

Common Grackle, female House Sparrow

Common Grackle

Another early bird is the Common Grackle. They are hard to miss because they are quite loud.

Almost hidden in a nest

Out in the open -- enjoying some early Spring sunshine

Red-winged Blackbird

It's interesting. All of a sudden - around the beginning of March - the bird activity jumps up a notch around here. You first notice it with the residents: the house sparrows and robins are a little more active and noisy.

The red-winged blackbirds, an early bird, appeared over the weekend.

Male Red-winged Blackbird

Female Red-winged Blackbird