Male red-winged blackbirds are glossy black with red shoulder patches bordered in yellow. (Minette Layne/Flickr)
The red-winged blackbird is a black songbird with distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches. It lives in wetlands, marshes and open farm fields throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.
Appearance:
Black, sharply pointed bill
Medium-length tail
Adult males are glossy black with red shoulder patches bordered in yellow
Females are dull brown with dark streaks. They often have a pale breast and pale eyebrow streaks.
Immature males have feathers edged in orange, and may have some yellow on their shoulders
Grows to about 9 inches with a wingspan of 12-16 inches
Habitat:
Lives in marshes and wetlands, including wet road sides
Commonly seen in open farm fields in winter
Often forms large flocks with other blackbird species in winter
Range:
Found year-round throughout the Chesapeake Bay region
One of the most abundant birds in North America
Feeding:
Generally eats whatever it can find, including snails, frogs, worms, spiders and eggs
Prefers insects such as flies, moths, dragonflies and butterflies in summer
In winter, its diet switches to plants and seeds such as corn and wheat
Predators:
Owls, raptors and raccoons are a few of the red-winged blackbird’s predators
Flight:
Males are easily identified in flight by their bright red and yellow shoulder patches
Voice:
Males make a cheery, loud konk-la-ree or oak-la-ree during breeding season to draw attention to themselves and warn potential intruders
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Breeds from early spring through mid-summer. Females have 1-3 broods per year.
Pairs are not monogamous. Males may have up to 15 mates at one time.
Nests in cattail reeds or bushes near water. The female weaves a deep, basket-like nest from plant material.
Females lay 3-5 eggs, which they incubate for up to 11 days
Males guard the nest with loud calls and displays, or by chasing other male birds away. They can spend more than one-quarter of daylight hours defending their territory.
Young are dependent on females for five weeks after they leave the nest
Usually lives for about two years in the wild. The oldest recorded red-winged blackbird was 20 years old.
Other Facts:
Males can puff up or hide their scarlet and yellow shoulder patches
