Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

22 cm (9") Abundant. Throughout North America. Migrates from Canada to United States for winter. Breeds in thick vegetation of marshes, brushy swamps, sloughs dry fields; forages in hayfields, orchards, woodlands.

Male: all black bird with a bright red shoulder patch, often bordered with yellow.

Female or immature Male: dark brown above, heavily streaked below. May show a red patch on the wing or shoulder or a pink wash on throat.

Song: "konk-ah-LEEEE!" song; "chack" call.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

2 photos

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video

Red-winged Blackbird Portrait

Credit: Larry Bond

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Red-Winged Blackbird (Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 9

What was the sex of the bird ?: Male · Unknown
What colour were the WING STRIPES or PATCHES ?: Yellow or golden stripes or patches · Red or orange stripes or patches · Unknown
Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: No · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:981-red-winged-blackbird-male:1:1 Source: 981 Red-Winged Blackbird (Male), row 1

Red-Winged Blackbird (Female or immature Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 9

What was the sex of the bird ?: Male · Female · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
Was the BELLY STREAKED or BARRED ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:982-red-winged-blackbird-female-or-immature-male:1:1 Source: 982 Red-Winged Blackbird (Female or immature Male), row 1