Harbingers of Spring: Red-Winged Blackbirds in Western New York
There’s a very particular sound that tells us winter is loosening its grip here in Western New York.
It isn’t the robins.
It isn’t the dripping icicles.
It’s the sudden arrival of red-winged blackbirds.
They come all at once—swooping in by the dozens, bold and noisy, claiming fence rails, treetops, and (most urgently) the bird feeders. The snow may still be scattered across the fields, and mornings might still carry frost, but when these glossy black birds flash their fiery red wings, we know: spring is close.
This painting was born from one of those moments.
On the back of the original painting, I wrote:
As winter’s chill yielded to the warmth of spring, Rio Wright returned to Andrews Farm. Its melodic song echoed through the awakening fields, signaling the season’s renewal. Perched on a wooden board, he brought a burst of color, a reminder of spring’s arrival.
I watched this single red-winged blackbird land, chest forward, shoulders glowing like embers against the soft green backdrop of thawing earth. He stood there with quiet authority—equal parts fierce and hopeful—while the rest of his flock circled nearby. That contrast pulled me in: winter still lingering, yet life already pressing forward.
Red-winged blackbirds are often called the harbingers of spring, and for good reason. They’re among the first migratory birds to return, arriving in dramatic flocks that feel almost ceremonial. Around here, their appearance marks the beginning of longer days, muddy boots, seed catalogs on the kitchen table, and the first real belief that warmer weather is on its way.
This original oil painting was created in February 2023 using an alla prima (wet-on-wet) technique, meaning it was completed in a single sitting. That approach allows for looser brushwork and fresh movement—perfect for capturing the quick energy and spirit of this bird.
Details:
- Original Oil Painting SOLD
- Size: 5 x 7 x .35 inches
- Oil on wood panel
- Created February 2023
- Frame not included (the panel can be displayed unframed)
All of my paintings feature a bluish-grey painted side and back, with the story handwritten on the reverse—each piece carrying its own quiet narrative.
For me, painting wildlife like this is a way of honoring small seasonal rituals. It’s about noticing who arrives first, who sings loudest, and how nature gently reminds us that cycles continue, even after the longest winters.
If you live in Western New York, you know this feeling.
The feeders get raided.
The fields begin to soften.
And suddenly, spring doesn’t feel so far away after all.
This red-winged blackbird is my love letter to that threshold moment—when hope shows up on a fence rail, bright-shouldered and unapologetic, announcing that brighter days are just around the bend.
Prints and product options from this painting are available through Fine Art America- the original is sold.