A medium-sized blackbird; males glossy black with brilliant red-and-yellow shoulder patches displayed in flight. Among the most abundant landbirds in North America.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The red-winged blackbird is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found in most of North America and much of Central America. It breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Guatemala, with isolated populations in western El Salvador, northwestern Honduras, and northwestern Costa Rica. It may winter as far north as Pennsylvania and British Columbia, but northern populations are generally migratory, moving south to Mexico and the Southern United States.
Source: Wikipedia — Red-winged blackbird Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Males glossy black with brilliant red-and-yellow shoulder patches.
Similar species. Tricolored Blackbird (white shoulder bands). Brewer's Blackbird (smaller, no shoulders).
Voice. Distinctive "conk-la-ree" song with elaborate displays.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds, grains, insects (especially during breeding).
Behavior. Highly polygynous; males defend large breeding territories. Among the most abundant landbirds in North America.
§ Range
Across North America
§ Habitat
Marshes, wet fields, agricultural areas
§ Threats
Wetland drainage, pesticide use, persecution as agricultural pests.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the red-winged blackbird is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain marsh edges. Support wetland conservation. Skip pesticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Red-winged blackbird
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Agelaius phoeniceus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22724192
- iNaturalist · taxon 10089
- eBird · rewbla
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Agelaius phoeniceus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
