Guest post by Samantha Arthur, Tricolored Blackbird Conservation Program Manager

Last week while surveying in the Central Valley, I saw several flocks of Tricolored Blackbirds searching for nesting sites. In order to set up their massive colonies, they need a specific type of flooded wetland. Sadly, I am not seeing a lot of that habitat this breeding season.

I am desperate to help the Tricolored Blackbirds because they cannot afford another unsuccessful season. Over just the last six years, the Tricolored Blackbird population has decreased by 64%!

With the support of the Five Dollars/Five Birds campaign, we’re creating new Tricolored habitat at Merced National Wildlife Refuge. We’ve planted triticale that may attract nesting Tricolored Blackbirds. Fields are also being prepared to provide alfalfa for foraging next to the wheat that provides nesting habitat. While we’ve done great work here, this is just one refuge. In order to save this species from extinction, we need to do more.

Learn how you can help...