Agelaius phoeniceus

Family: Icteridae

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most recognizable songbirds of North American wetlands. Males are unmistakable with glossy black plumage and vivid red-and-yellow shoulder patches, while females are streaked brown and blend seamlessly into grasses and cattails.

For representative images and visual context, see the page: Red-winged Blackbird in the Gallery section.

Description

Agelaius phoeniceus is recognized by:

Size: medium songbird, approximately 7–9 in (18–23 cm)
Male plumage: glossy black with bright red epaulets edged in yellow
Female plumage: brown and heavily streaked, with a pale eyebrow stripe
Bill: slender, pointed, and black
Posture: upright and alert, often perched prominently

Males are visually striking and highly territorial, while females are cryptic in coloration, an adaptation for nesting concealment.

Habitat and Range

Typical habitats include:

Marshes and wetlands with cattails or reeds
Wet meadows and roadside ditches
Open grassy fields near standing water

Notes may include:

Strong association with emergent vegetation during breeding season
Common across Minnesota in spring and summer
Forms large flocks in agricultural fields outside the breeding season

Identification

Key features for field diagnosis:

Male: black body with bold red shoulder patches (epaulets)
Female: streaked brown, sparrow-like but larger with a longer bill
Voice: distinctive “conk-la-ree!” call, often given from elevated perches
Behavior: territorial males display by puffing epaulets and vocalizing

Females are frequently overlooked or misidentified as sparrows but can be distinguished by their size, structure, and habitat.

Behavior and Ecology

Males establish and defend territories early in spring
Nests are built low in dense vegetation, often over water
Females construct deep, cup-shaped nests from grasses and wet plant material
Diet shifts seasonally:
- Breeding season: insects and larvae
- Non-breeding season: seeds and grains

Red-winged Blackbirds play an important ecological role in controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds.

Notes

Among the first birds to return to wetlands in early spring
Highly vocal and conspicuous during breeding season
Frequently observed perched on reeds, fence posts, or shrubs overlooking territory
Their presence is often an auditory hallmark of marsh landscapes

References

Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birds
https://www.allaboutbirds.org
Audubon Field Guide
https://www.audubon.org
iNaturalist taxon page
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7013-Agelaius-phoeniceus