If you're up exploring the wilderness at dawn, chances are you'll spot a red-winged blackbird, one of North America's most common birds. The brown, striped females look a little like sparrows, while males' bright upper wing feathers make them easy to identify. Blackbirds' size varies markedly from region to region. Yet, in one study, nestlings that were moved from one area to another grew up to look more like their adoptive parents. Big or small, a red-winged blackbirds' size depends more on environment than heredity. In every habitat, variables such as climate, competition and the availability of food and water help determine how animals like blackbirds adapt. Respecting our natural resources helps us KEEP IT WILD.