We stopped in a desert rest area to stretch our legs. We were sitting on a
bench in the shade when we spotted the new bird. It was hanging out with
some brewer's blackbirds, but it was different. It had a yellow chest.
We're familiar with yellow-headed blackbirds, they tend to hang out in
marshes, but there is no such thing as a yellow-breasted blackbird, so we
knew whatever it was, it was a new bird for us. We watched it carefully.
We noted all its coloring characteristics, and how it was different from the
other birds. We followed it when it flew, to get as long a look as
possible. We only had one set of binoculars with us right then, so we
shared, and compared notes. When we got back to the motorhome, we went
straight to the bird books to figure out what it was. We started with
blackbirds, because that's what it looked like. It didn't take long. We've
seen tons of yellow-headed blackbirds. The males are so distinctive,
though, with their yellow heads, that I guess we just ignored the females.
There, in our Sibley's, was a perfect rendition of our mystery bird. A
female yellow-headed blackbird.
Oh well.
