Red-winged Blackbird Bird Facts (Agelaius phoeniceus)

The Red-winged Blackbird is a striking bird with a compact body and rounded wings. Males are glossy black with bright red shoulder patches bordered by yellow, often visible during flight and displays.

Females are dramatically different, with brown-streaked plumage and a pale eyebrow. Juveniles resemble females but have more reddish-brown tones and less defined streaking.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Red-winged Blackbird is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Red-winged Blackbirds are found across North America, from Alaska to Florida. They inhabit various open habitats, with a strong preference for wetlands, marshes, and wet meadows.

In winter, many northern populations migrate to the southern United States and Mexico, while some birds in milder areas remain year-round. They are common in suitable habitats throughout the USA and southern Canada.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-winged Blackbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

United States of America

Species that pass through the area during migration

Canada

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Trinidad and Tobago

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Red-winged Blackbird demonstrates considerable agility in flight and whilst foraging. Their ability to navigate through dense marsh vegetation and perform aerial displays suggests above-average manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Red-winged Blackbirds possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. They can defend territories and carry nesting materials, but are not known for exceptional feats of strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show remarkable adaptability, thriving in various habitats from wetlands to agricultural fields. Their ability to adjust their diet seasonally and form large flocks outside breeding season further demonstrates their adaptiveness.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Male Red-winged Blackbirds are notably aggressive during breeding season, vigorously defending territories and displaying confrontational behaviour. This aggression, however, is largely seasonal and context-specific.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Their ability to form massive winter roosts and undertake partial migrations suggests good endurance. However, as small birds, they likely have limitations compared to larger, long-distance migrants. Their wide distribution across elevation ranges also indicates decent stamina.

Red-winged Blackbirds are omnivorous, with a diet that varies seasonally. During the breeding season, they consume insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.

In fall and winter, they switch primarily to seeds, including those from grasses, weeds, and waste grain in agricultural fields.

Red-winged Blackbirds are highly social, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. Males are territorial during breeding, perching prominently and displaying their red epaulets while giving their distinctive 'conk-la-ree' call.

They forage on the ground or in low vegetation, probing for insects and seeds.

The male's song is a distinctive 'conk-la-ree' or 'o-ka-lee', often accompanied by a display of his red shoulder patches. Females produce a series of chit or check calls.

Both sexes use various chips and chatters for communication within flocks and during territorial disputes.

Breeding season for Red-winged Blackbirds typically begins in late spring. Males establish territories and attract females with conspicuous displays and vocalizations.

Females construct cup-shaped nests using grasses and sedges, often woven around several upright stems in marshy vegetation. They lay 3-4 pale blue-green eggs with dark markings.

Incubation lasts about 11-13 days, performed solely by the female. Nestlings fledge after 11-14 days, with both parents contributing to feeding the young.

The Red-winged Blackbird typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 15.9 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While Red-winged Blackbirds are currently listed as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss and agricultural practices.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving wetlands and promoting bird-friendly farming methods to maintain their widespread distribution.

Look for males perched on cattails or reeds in wetlands
Listen for the distinctive 'conk-la-ree' call of males
Observe large flocks in agricultural fields during winter
Watch for the flash of red when males take flight

Main predators include raccoons, mink, hawks, owls, and snakes, which target eggs, nestlings, and occasionally adult birds.

Male Red-winged Blackbirds may have up to 15 female mates in a single breeding season.
They can form massive winter roosts with millions of individuals.
Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant bird species in North America.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Red-winged Blackbird

References