We have provided a photo of the common blackbird and the tri-colored blackbird, both of which are native to Leona Valley. The tri-colored blackbird is a California Special Species of Concern, which is a protected status.

Robert Meese, of UC Davis, came to Leona Valley on April 1, 2009 to ascertain where and if the tricolored blackbird was nesting in Leona Valley. To find such an occurrence in Leona Valley is considered "regionally significant."

The Results:

80-100 male tricolors were found near Ron & Liz Remy's property. The males were singing and appear to have been settling, waiting for the females to arrive. The Remy's have agreed to feed these birds. In a few weeks, the tcb's will be trapped, tagged and released.

A large number of trikes were observed on the Reitano Ranch foraging for food in the late afternoon on the same day. They gathered in the agricultural fields, near the cattle and were situated on the lattice work of half built transmission towers.

Another biologist has received a USFWS grant to continue the study of the tricolored blackbirds of Southern California. He was also in Leona Valley on April 1st and observed a large flock of males leaving Petersen Ranch and believes that a large colony is forming on that property. He indicated that there is also a potential for a colony near the Elizabeth Lake Golf Course. There were at least 100 in the seep along the California Aqueduct at Munz Ranch Road; and several dozen at a drainage basin on Avenue L just east of 60th Street West. It is also suspected that the tcb's are located at Tweedy Lake and he wishes to obtain access to document his findings.

REPORT OBERVATIONS OF THE TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRD TO UC DAVIS. Go to: http://tricolor.ice.ucdavis.edu/node/3514

About the Bird

According to UC Davis: The tricolor is a medium-sized, sexually dimorphic blackbird. Adult males are glossy black, adult females are dark brown with dark gray and brown streaks. Juveniles are similar to females but paler (Pyle 1997). Adult male epaulets are typically bright scarlet and distinguishable from the red-orange epaulet of the adult male red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Band below epaulet bright white, not yellow or gold as in the red-winged blackbird. Breeding males average 60-65 grams and breeding females average 40-45 grams. Total body length is 18-24 cm. Bills of both sexes long, narrow, round, and pointed (Beedy and Hamilton 1999). Both sexes have narrow, pointed wings with primary 9 longer than primary 6 (Mailliard 1910, Pyle 1997), giving the bird in flight a more pointed-wing profile than the closely related red-winged blackbird and enabling experienced observers to distinguish tricolors from other blackbird species at a distance (Mailliard 1910, Orians 1961). Flight typically undulating, and foraging flocks tend to be compact and linear. Often silent in flight, but may emit a distinctive "wuk" call (Collier 1968); much lower in frequency than Redwing (Orians and Christman 1968). During the early breeding season, males typically utter a strange mewing call very unlike other blackbirds and a loud song chorus is characteristic of establishing colonies.