One of the most distinctive bird calls in our area is made by the Red-winged Blackbird. It’s usually written as “conk-la-lee!” or “o-ka-leeee!” and it sounds a lot like the opening trumpet lick of the National Geographic Theme. For those who watch nature programs, that sound – written by none other than Elmer Bernstein – is symbolic of the great American outdoors.

And that’s appropriate for the Red-winged Blackbird. These birds are widespread and abundant in North America. Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents at Lake Martin and in most of the U.S., except the northernmost states. They are part-time residents of the entire country and most of Canada and Mexico.