April 5, 2018, at 3:05 p.m.
By BRENNA VISSER, The Daily
Astorian
CANNON BEACH, Ore. (AP) — As a
part of the 12 Days of Earth Day celebration, Cannon Beach will be asked to
consider designating an official city bird.
But don't get too excited, tufted
puffins. A different bird could be brought into the spotlight: the red-winged
blackbird.
The medium-sized, black-and-red
songbird loves marshes, brushy swamps and chirping on city power lines. They
relish pecking out the seeds of invasive plants and fiercely protecting habitat
— whether the trespasser be a fellow bird or an elk. But most importantly, the
species is an abundant and longtime inhabitant of the beach town.
"Red-winged blackbirds have
been in that habitat forever. It seemed to fit the character of Cannon
Beach," said Neal Maine, a
wildlife photographer who serves on the 12 Days of Earth Day committee.
"They are a part of the downtown, which is kind of rare to have a bird
colony right in the central part of the community."
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