Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

A striking songbird with red shoulder patches, this species brings a splash of color to wetlands and grasslands across North America.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

17cm to 23cm

Wingspan

31cm to 40cm

Weight

32g to 77g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black Red

Secondary Colour

Yellow

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Brown

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

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

Garden

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

Wetland

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

Coastal

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

Urban

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

Farmland

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

Grassland

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

Desert

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

Tundra

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

Rainforest

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

Mountain

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

Savanna

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

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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