Species profile
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Conservation status
- Not assessed here
identification
Adult males are black with red-and-yellow shoulder patches; females are heavily streaked brown.
habitat
Marshes, wet fields, pastures, and roadside ditches.
range
Widespread across North America; northern populations migrate south for winter.
behavior
Males display from prominent perches; outside breeding season birds gather in large flocks.
diet
Seeds and insects.
voice
Liquid conk-la-ree song and a sharp check call.
seasonality
Resident or seasonal migrant depending on region.
Related species
Sources
Taxonomy, identification, natural history, and conservation references. Follow source links for current assessments.