Blackbird courtship feeding

The blackbird breeding season begins in the early spring and continues until mid-summer. During that time, it’s not unusual to see adult birds feeding one another. This is called “courtship feeding.” It can occur when pairs are first getting established and continue through the egg incubation period.

This pair is carrying out their courtship right in my backyard. Blackbirds actually have the ability to catch insects for their meals while in flight, but they seem to prefer pecking in my garden where they can so easily forage among the old leaves and come up with an abundance of delicious worms and serviceberries.

You’ll notice that the blackbird’s long legs give him a halting walk, head jerking with each step, almost like a chicken’s. In this video, some blackbirds are foraging amongst last year’s leaves (mostly ginkgo) and they’re having quite a bit of luck finding juicy bugs and fresh berries recently fallen from my Serviceberry tree. Male blackbirds are glossy black all over with a staring yellow eye and a blue sheen on the head grading to greenish iridescence on the body. They feed on open ground or underfoot in parks and busy streets.
Backyard birdwatching is the best!