The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a common New World blackbird in the family Icteridae, easily recognized by the male's glossy black plumage with red and yellow shoulder epaulets and the female's brownish, streaked appearance. They prefer wetlands, marshes, and open agricultural fields, where males defend territories with conspicuous visual displays and a distinctive scratchy song.
Sexual dimorphism in Red-winged Blackbirds is pronounced, making field identification straightforward for adults but requiring closer attention for juveniles.
Adult males are glossy black with bright red and yellow epaulets on the shoulders. The beak is entirely black, and the legs and claws are dark. In the field, the red and yellow shoulder patches are the primary diagnostic features, especially when the bird is perched or displaying.
Females are dusty or brownish overall, with dark stripes on the underside. They resemble large sparrows but are distinguished by a prominent off-white eyebrow marking (supercilium). The beak is dark brown on the upper mandible and lighter brown on the lower mandible. Females are often seen foraging in the same habitats as males but may be less conspicuous due to their cryptic coloration.
Young males and females resemble adult females in coloration. Immature males undergo a transitional stage where the red epaulets appear orange before reaching the full adult red coloration. This gradual development of plumage means that first-year males can be mistaken for females or other brownish icterids if the orange shoulder patches are not visible.
Red-winged Blackbirds are highly adaptable but show a strong preference for wetland habitats. They roost and breed in a variety of environments, including fresh and saltwater marshes, open agricultural fields, and lightly wooded deciduous forests. In winter, they are most often found in open fields and croplands.
Their range spans freshwater and salt marshes, meadows, and cultivated fields from southern Alaska and Yukon eastward to Labrador, and south to southern Florida, the northern Bahamas, northern Baja California, and across Mexico to the coastal Yucatan Peninsula and locally in Central America to northwestern Costa Rica. They are largely resident in much of their range, with winter wandering in some populations.
Red-winged Blackbirds are strong fliers that migrate in large flocks, often numbering in the thousands. Roosting is communal, leading to large, centralized populations. They are largely diurnal, spending most of their day foraging.
During the mating season, males defend territories against other males and sometimes against other bird species, such as Tricolored Blackbirds and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Territory size varies significantly depending on habitat quality and geographic location, ranging from as small as 153 square meters in dense marshes to as large as 29,235 square meters in upland habitats. Males typically control territories of approximately 2,000 square meters on average.
Visual displays are a key form of communication, especially before and during mating. The most notable is the "song spread" display, where males fluff their plumage, raise their shoulders to prominently display the red and yellow epaulets, and spread their tail while singing. As the display intensifies, the wings are arched further. Females may also engage in a similar display directed at each other early in the breeding season, possibly to defend sub-territories within a male's territory.
The male's territorial song is a familiar, scratchy, or buzzy trill often described as "oak-a-lee" or "konkeree," with the last syllable given more emphasis. This song is used to announce territorial boundaries and attract mates. Both sexes use a common "check" call for contact. Males may utter a whistled "cheer" or "peet" call if alarmed, while females may give a short chatter or sharp scream. Specific calls seem to communicate the presence of specific predators, such as raccoons or American Crows.
Red-winged Blackbirds are extremely polygynous, with a single male potentially holding up to 15 females in his territory, though an average of five is more common. Females choose nesting sites, often in wetland or agricultural areas, and build the nest themselves. The nest is a woven basket of cattail stalks or other plant materials, placed above water level and lined with soft materials. Clutch sizes range from three to seven eggs, which are pale greenish-blue, black, or purple streaked. Incubation is the sole responsibility of the female, and chicks fledge in 10 to 14 days.
Red-winged Blackbirds are generalized feeders. In the non-breeding season, they consume a greater amount of plant tissue, preferring seeds and agricultural products like corn and rice. During the breeding season, they shift to a diet with more animal material, including insects (especially dragonflies, moths, and flies), snails, frogs, carrion, and even fledgling birds or eggs. They forage by picking insects from plants, gaping crevices in plant material with their beaks, and catching insects in flight.
The Red-winged Blackbird is listed as Least Concern (LC) in the AviList v2026 checklist. As one of the most common and widespread birds in North America, it is not currently considered threatened. However, the loss of natural wetlands could impact populations that thrive in these habitats. The species is protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Observing Red-winged Blackbirds ethically involves maintaining a respectful distance, especially during the breeding season when males are actively defending territories and females are incubating or feeding young. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to observe the "song spread" display from a distance, allowing you to appreciate the visual and vocal behavior without causing stress or nest abandonment. Avoid disturbing communal roosts, which can be large and sensitive to human presence. When in agricultural fields, stay on designated paths and avoid trampling crops or wetland vegetation.
For community science contributions, record detailed observations of behavior, habitat, and vocalizations. Note the time of day, weather conditions, and specific behaviors observed, such as the intensity of the display or the type of prey being fed to nestlings. These data points help improve shared datasets and our understanding of this adaptable species.
