Red-winged Blackbird

About

The Red-winged Blackbird is a medium-sized, sexually dimorphic passerine bird, widely recognized for the male's striking red and yellow epaulets. It is one of the most abundant and widespread bird species in North America, often found in wetlands and open fields.

Size & lifespan

Length

17-23 cm (6.7-9.1 in)

Wingspan

31-40 cm (12.2-15.7 in)

Weight

40-80 g (1.4-2.8 oz), males typically larger than females

Lifespan

2-5 years in the wild, up to 15 years recorded

Diet

Omnivore, primarily insects during breeding season, seeds and grains in winter

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult males are glossy black with distinctive red shoulder patches (epaulets) bordered by a narrow band of yellow. Adult females are streaky brown overall, resembling a large sparrow, with a pale eyebrow, often a reddish tint on the shoulders, and sometimes a faint yellow wash on the throat. Juvenile males resemble females but may show some orange or dull red on the shoulders. Juvenile females are similar to adult females but often paler and more buffy.

Beak shape

Conical, sharply pointed, black in color.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Black

Distinguishing features

The male's bright red and yellow epaulets are unmistakable. Females are identified by their streaky brown plumage, pale eyebrow, and often a sharp, pointed bill. The overall shape is robust with a relatively long tail.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles of both sexes are streaky brown, similar to adult females. Young males gradually acquire black plumage and dull orange-red epaulets, which become brighter with age. Young females are generally paler and more buffy than adult females.

Seasonal changes

Plumage generally remains consistent year-round for adults. Males may show slightly duller epaulets in fresh fall plumage due to pale feather edgings that wear off by spring, revealing the brighter colors. Females show little seasonal variation.

Sexual dimorphism

Highly sexually dimorphic. Males are entirely glossy black with prominent red and yellow epaulets. Females are streaky brown with a pale eyebrow and lack the prominent red epaulets, though some may show a reddish wash on the shoulders.

How to identify

1. 1

   Male Plumage

   Look for the unmistakable glossy black body with bright red shoulder patches bordered by yellow. These epaulets are often flared during displays.

2. 2

   Female Plumage

   Identify by the heavily streaked brown body, pale eyebrow, and often a reddish or buffy wash on the shoulders. They resemble large, dark sparrows but have a more pointed bill.

3. 3

   Song

   Listen for the distinctive 'conk-la-ree!' song, a gurgling, liquid sound often given from a high perch in wetlands.

4. 4

   Habitat

   Often found in wetlands, marshes, and open fields, especially near water. Their presence in such habitats is a strong clue.

5. 5

   Behavior

   Observe their territorial displays (males flaring epaulets) and their tendency to form large, noisy flocks outside the breeding season.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, agricultural fields, open woodlands, suburban areas.

Geographic range

Breeds across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and into Central America. Winters across the southern United States and Mexico.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), primarily in lowlands.

Preferred environments

Prefers areas with dense emergent vegetation (cattails, reeds) near water for nesting, and open fields or agricultural lands for foraging. Also common in roadside ditches and damp pastures.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Forages on the ground, in low vegetation, and sometimes in trees. Diet consists of insects (dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, caterpillars) during the breeding season, and seeds, grains (corn, oats, rice), and fruits during fall and winter. They will also visit bird feeders.

Social behavior

Highly social, especially outside the breeding season, forming large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands, often mixed with other blackbird species, grackles, and starlings. During breeding, males are territorial, defending small territories where multiple females may nest (polygynous).

Flight pattern

Strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats. Often flies in undulating patterns over short distances. In large flocks, flight can appear synchronized and fluid.

Migration pattern

Northern populations are migratory, moving south for the winter. Southern populations are largely resident. Migration occurs in large flocks, often at night, in early spring and late fall.

Territoriality

Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, aggressively defending their nesting territories from other males and predators. They display their red epaulets prominently during territorial disputes and courtship.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically April to July, varying by latitude.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built by the female, often low in dense emergent vegetation (cattails, reeds, sedges) over water or in shrubs. The nest is a bulky cup woven from grasses, sedges, and leaves, lined with finer materials.

Clutch size

2-4 clutches per season, typically 3-5 eggs per clutch.

Egg description

3-5 eggs, pale blue-green to grayish, heavily marked with dark brown, black, or purple spots, streaks, and scrawls, often concentrated at the larger end. Eggs measure approximately 24 x 17 mm.

Incubation period

11-13 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

10-14 days after hatching, young leave the nest but are still fed by parents for some time.

Parental care

Female primarily incubates and broods. Both parents feed the young, though the female does the majority of the feeding. Males may defend multiple nests within their territory.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for the song. The male's 'conk-la-ree!' song is very distinctive and often given from a prominent perch, making them easy to locate even before seeing them.
2. Look for males displaying. During the breeding season, males frequently perch conspicuously and display their red epaulets, making them highly visible.
3. Scan flocks in winter. In winter, look for large, mixed-species blackbird flocks in agricultural areas or roosting sites. Red-winged Blackbirds will be a dominant component.
4. Check wetland edges. Walk along the edges of marshes and ponds; they are often perched on vegetation or flying low over the water.

Similar species

Quick facts

Status:

Common and widespread

Key ID Feature (Male):

Glossy black with red and yellow shoulder patches

Key ID Feature (Female):

Streaky brown with pale eyebrow

Voice:

Gurgling 'conk-la-ree!' song

Habitat:

Wetlands, open fields

Fun facts

• Red-winged Blackbirds are polygynous, meaning one male often mates with several females. A single male can have up to 15 females nesting in his territory, though 2-5 is more common.
• They are one of the most abundant bird species in North America, with an estimated population of over 100 million individuals.
• Males are highly aggressive in defending their territories, even chasing much larger birds like hawks and crows.
• During winter, Red-winged Blackbirds can form massive roosts, sometimes numbering in the millions, often mixed with other blackbirds, grackles, and starlings.
• The bright red epaulets of the male are often concealed by black feathers when relaxed, but are prominently displayed during courtship and territorial disputes.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Icteridae

Genus

Agelaius

Species

Agelaius phoeniceus

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