What is a female red-winged blackbird looking for in a mate ... They switch from summer's insects to a seed-based diet, behavior that often brings them into conflict with farmers — or people ...

This is the time of year when the song of the Red-winged Blackbird is heard nearly everywhere that has some standing water ...

as red-winged blackbirds feast on all manner of insects, spiders and other invertebrates. It’s unclear if their diet includes cicadas, but we will update this story when we get that answer.

This article originally appeared on The Revelator. Every morning, at this time of year, a red-winged blackbird greets me as I walk down the street. He’s become a familiar sight and sound ...