In writing about "The Crossley ID Book," I quoted Crossley on the difficulty of ID-ing female Red-Breasted Blackbirds, saying that these birds provide problems for inexperienced birders. I did not have room to expand on that thought, so I thought I'd add my two cents here.

I have found these birds tricky to identify on occasion as well, especially early in the year when I am not thinking "Red-winged Blackbird" yet. And I have been on walks where very good birders mis-identified one of these birds at first glance.

Everybody wants to identify birds quickly and accurately, but sometimes we fall short. (At which time, I, for one, wish I had remained silent.)