Red-winged Blackbird

Adult males feature glossy jet-black plumage highlighted by bright red shoulder patches (epaulets) bordered in yellow, which can be hidden or exposed. Females are heavily streaked in brown and cream, resembling a large sparrow with a whitish eyestripe.

Male: Glossy black overall with red and yellow shoulder epaulets. Female: Heavy brown streaking, sharp bill, whitish supercillium.

Length: 17–24 cm (6.7–9.4 in), Wingspan: 31–40 cm (12–16 in), Weight: 41–65 g (1.4–2.3 oz).

A loud, distinctive 'conk-la-ree!' song delivered by males, alongside sharp 'check' alarm calls.

Insects (beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers) in summer; seeds, grain, and agricultural crops in autumn and winter.

Wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, agricultural fields, pastures, and suburban edge habitats near water.

Partial migrant; northern populations migrate south in winter, while southern populations remain resident year-round.

Builds woven cup nests in dense marsh vegetation, shrubs, or tall grasses near water. Highly polygynous males defend territories containing up to 15 females.

Tricolored Blackbird (has a white edge on red epaulets), Rusty Blackbird (paler eyes, less distinct streaking in females), Brewer's Blackbird (male has yellow eyes and lacks red patches).

Controls insect populations during the breeding season and acts as an important seed disperser in wetland and agricultural habitats.

Least Concern (IUCN), highly abundant although long-term population counts show mild declines.

Look near wetlands, grassy fields, or backyard feeder poles during early morning. Males are easy to spot perched prominently and vocalizing.

Males actively defend their nesting territories from intruding birds, animals, and even humans, frequently dive-bombing much larger creatures during breeding season.