Red-winged BlackbirdRed-winged Blackbird -- South Dakota Birds
| 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 phoeniceus
Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant birds in the state. They can generally be found in just about every marsh or weedy ditch in the state during the summer. A male is shown at the right. Additional photos, including those of a female, can be found at the bottom of the page.
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, hayfields, and wet thickets. Often frequents feedlots.
Diet: Mostly insects and seeds. Many insects in the summer, but the majority of the diet is seeds and waste grain. A noted enemy of sunflower growers!
Nesting: Mid-May through August.
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Red-winged Blackbird Song, also Red-winged Blackbird Call
Migrations: Many migrate south in the fall, but some may remain during the winter.
Feeders: Breadcrumbs and birdseed.
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.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-winged Blackbird
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-winged Blackbird"
3) eNature.com - Red-winged Blackbird
Photo Information: March 23rd, 2003 -- Southwest of Sioux Falls in Lincoln County -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-winged Blackbird photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Very common summer resident statewide. Uncommon in winter, with greater numbers in the southern part of the state. |
| Additional Red-winged Blackbird Photos | |||
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| Red-winged Blackbird 2 (male) | Red-winged Blackbird 3 (female) | ||
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| Red-winged Blackbird 6 (female) | Red-winged Blackbird 7 (juvenile) |
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Proud Member Of:
Range Map Reference: NatureServe
Click here for other references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
