This Red-wing Blackbird stopped in the top of a small fir tree along the Mill Race Path to preen. The beautiful green of the new growth. along with a green background, really set the bird apart. As it preened, the bird struck this nice pose. If you look closely, you will see that those small black spots are insects buzzing around the bird.

Why do birds preen? Note this comment from 'thespruce.com': "Birds have up to 25,000 feathers, and regular preening keeps each one of those feathers in top condition. Second only to feeding, preening is a common bird behavior easily observed in a backyard, out in the field or even among captive birds or pets. Understanding why and how birds preen can help birders better appreciate their beautiful avian friends."

Read the article for an interesting discussion about preening - https://www.thespruce.com/why-birds-preen-386448