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Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Length: 7.5 - 9 inches Wingspan: 12 - 14 inches Seasonality: Summer / All Seasons
ID Keys: Males red overall with red shoulder patches.  Females heavily streaked with brown and dusky white.

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant birds in the state during the summer months. They can seemingly be found in just about every marsh or weedy ditch, particularly in the eastern part of the state.  The colorful males (photo on the right) can often be seen perched on high perches, singing their song and defending their territory.  The less colorful females (see photos at the bottom of the page) are often not as visible as they stay hidden in vegetation.  The males in South Dakota appear as in the photo to the right and the photos below, with the prominent red wing patch edged with a yellowish color. Male Red-winged Blackbirds in some areas lack the lighter colored fringe (primarily birds in the far southwestern US and in Mexico). Red-winged Blackbirds are somewhat more dispersed during the summer breeding season, but are much more gregarious during migration and in the winter, when flocks of mixed blackbird species may number in the many thousands.

Habitat:

They are most commonly found in wet areas such as marshes, swamps, wet meadows, and wet thickets. They will sometimes also be found around lightly wooded riparian areas with surrounding open land. Very adaptable, they've also learned to utilize man-made areas, feeding heavily on waste grain in many areas, and often frequenting feedlots.

Diet:

Mostly insects and seeds.  Many insects in the summer, but the majority of the diet is seeds and waste grain during the winter months. Some consider them an agricultural pest, particularly as they will feed on actively growing sunflowers.

Behavior:

Usually forages by walking along the ground in search of seeds and insects.  They will also forage low in vegetation. 

Nesting:

Mid-May through August.  The nest of a Red-winged Blackbird is an open cup of grasses, reeds, and other plant material, built in wetland vegetation such as cattails.  The female usually lays 3 or 4 eggs, and she alone incubates them.  Upon hatching, both parents feed the young.  The young leave the nest after about 2 weeks.

Song:

The song of a Red-winged Blackbird is the classic Conk-a-REEEEE!! They also have multiple chek or chit calls.

Migration:

Summers throughout much of North America, except rare in Alaska and in northern Canada.  Populations in Canada and the northern tier of U.S. states typically migrate southward in the fall, although they are present all year in much of the U.S. In South Dakota, numbers do drastically decrease in the winter months. However, a few do stay around in winter. As a personal observation, I've noticed more and more attempting to overwinter in south-central South Dakota, when I take winter birding trips to the Presho/Kennebec/Reliance area.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Red-winged Blackbird sightings

Similar Species:

The male Red-winged Blackbird in full adult plumage is distinct, as only one other species of blackbird is similar (see Tricolored Blackbird below).

Tricolored Blackbird - Agelaius tricolor Brewer's Blackbird 1 - Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer's Blackbird 6 - Euphagus cyanocephalus Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus
Tricolored Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rusty Blackbird

Bird Feeders:

Will attend feeders for breadcrumbs and various seeds. In our yard on the edge of Brandon, they don't come to the feeders often, but during spring snow storms they often show up at the sunflower seed feeder, and also show interest in suet.

South Dakota "Hotspot":

An extremely common and widespread species, they're easily found in most parts of the state, particularly in the eastern part of the state where they can be found around near Prairie Pothole wetlands.

Conservation Status:

Very common and widespread.  They are considered by some (including in this state) an agricultural pest because of their fondness for sunflower seeds.  Efforts are underway in many areas (unfortunately, including in this state) to cull their numbers through mass poisoning or netting. However, given the large population and wide geographic distribution, the IUCN lists the Red-winged Blackbird as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information:

Photo Information:

April 18th, 2010 - Minnehaha County, South Dakota -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos:

Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-winged Blackbird photos.

Audio File Credits:

 

Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view
Red-winged Blackbird - Species Range Map
South Dakota Status: Very common summer breeding resident and migrant.  Uncommon in the winter

Additional Red-winged Blackbird Photos
Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos 
Red-winged Blackbird 1 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 2 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 3 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 4 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 5 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 6 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 7 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 8 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 9 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 10 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 11 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 12 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 13 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 14 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 15 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 16 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 17 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 18 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 19 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 20 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 21 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 22 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 23 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 24 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 25 - Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird 26 - Agelaius phoeniceus