Monday Mystery - August 29

Photo: Juvenile Red-winged Blackbird, Brian Rice/Audubon Photography Awards

We are pleased to announce the winner of last week’s Monday Nature Mystery, Michael Piper!

Congratulations to Michael for correctly identifying the juvenile Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

Last Week's mystery: Juvenile Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Photo: Brian Rice/Audubon Photography Awards

According to All About Birds, female Red-winged Blackbirds build the nests by winding stringy plant material around several close, upright stems and weaving in a platform of coarse, wet vegetation. Around and over this she adds more wet leaves and decayed wood, plastering the inside with mud to make a cup. Finally, she lines the cup with fine, dry grasses. Young stay in the nest for just 11-14 days before fledging. 

Each Monday we’ll post a new mystery and identify the previous week’s winner. They’ll receive an ASNV hat or tote bag. 

Here is this week’s mystery:
Who is this fall visitor?

Be sure to post your guess on our Facebook page under the latest Monday Nature Mystery post. Good Luck!

Please check our guidelines here.

Monday Nature Mystery: Who is this fall visitor? Photo: Ben Cvengros/Audubon Photography Awards