Overview

The red-winged blackbird is one of North America's most abundant and conspicuous birds. Males perch prominently on reeds and wires, singing a scratchy konk-la-ree! while flashing their red-and-yellow shoulder patches — epaulets that signal aggression to rivals and status to females.

Females are streaky brown, often mistaken for a large sparrow, and build woven nests low in marsh vegetation. Colonies can hold dozens of nests in a single wetland, with males fiercely defending territories that may span thousands of square metres.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, cattail wetlands, and damp meadows are classic red-wing country, though the species also nests in damp fields, roadside ditches, and suburban ponds. They forage on seeds, insects, and grain in fields after breeding season.

Countries found

Red-winged Blackbird in United States

Interesting facts

01
Male red-winged blackbirds defend territories of up to 2,000 square metres.
02
Females are brown and streaked — very different from glossy black males.
03
They often roost in huge winter flocks numbering in the millions.

Conservation status

LC — Least Concern

Red-winged blackbirds are Least Concern with a vast and stable population. Wetland drainage reduces nesting habitat locally, but the species adapts well to agricultural landscapes.