[patlin]

I agree, definitely not startlings and more than likely blackbirds.

Up here in SD, we get invaded by the migration every spring and they are noisy, annoying & leave a disgusting mess everywhere. They dive bomb the dogs as well as us when we walk across the yard as the grain bin is between our house & the shop so I keep a rolled up newspaper on the deck and bang it against the deck cover post(sounds like a gun shot) to scare them off to the next door neighbors grove(1/4 mile away).

[Flycatcher]

Up where you live in South Dakota, you would have both species of Euphagus blackbirds (Brewer's and rusty) pass through. They're kind of tough to tell apart except in winter, when the rusty blackbirds really do turn a neat shade of "rust."

But you also have lark buntings in summer, so that's a nice plus...

[JouleZ]

I keep a rolled up newspaper on the deck and bang it against the deck cover post(sounds like a gun shot) to scare them off.....

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I hope Santa brings you a Red Ryder BB Air Gun that shoots BB’s and hollow-points, but only if that would make you happy. ;>)