Step outside this week and discover nature as male red-winged blackbirds arrive and claim their territories. This bird is thought to be the most abundant bird species in North America and nearly every cattail marsh in Missouri hosts them at some time of the year. They’ll also claim residence in wet meadows and ditches and shoreline shrubs. As he sings his konk-a-ree song, the male red-winged blackbird spreads his shoulders to display armor-like bright red epaulets, edged in yellow, to rivals and