Red-winged blackbird

A wetland blackbird that also feeds in nearby fields.

Field guide

A wetland blackbird that also feeds in nearby fields.

Identification

Shared features

Male is black with red-and-yellow shoulder patches; female is heavily streaked brown.

Male

The adult male is black with a red shoulder patch bordered yellow. He can hide the patch while perched; immature males may be mottled and resemble females.

Female

The adult female is dark brown and heavily streaked below, with a pale eyebrow and usually a little rusty color at the shoulder. She lacks the adult male's solid black body.

Habitat

Cattail marshes, wet ditches, pond edges and adjacent agricultural land.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, listen for territorial males on cattails and fence posts.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, check marsh edges and feeding flocks in fields.

Evening

At dusk, watch birds gathering toward wetland roosts.

Sounds

The male's liquid 'conk-la-ree' song and sharp alarm checks are distinctive.

Recorded calls

Red-winged blackbird

Field recording of a red-winged blackbird. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-No bag limit or possession limit.

Official bag-limit source