Library #26 · B Wetland · Wave 2

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus · Icteridae

Conk-la-ree! — the soundtrack of spring marshes.

At a glance

Size: 6.7–9.1 in
Wingspan: 12–15.8 in
Habitat: Marshes, wet meadows, roadside ditches
Diet: Insects, seeds, grains

Range: Most of North America

Nesting: Cup woven among marsh vegetation over water.

Coloring pose idea: Male on cattail flashing red epaulets

Hear this bird

General call / song: Conk-la-ree song; check alarm calls.

Mating / display: Song-spread display with flared red epaulets from males.

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Play calls on All About Birds Species overview Audubon field guide

How to know it

Male: glossy black with red-and-yellow shoulder patches.
Female: heavily streaked brown — often mistaken for a large sparrow.
Perches atop cattails with tail slightly spread.

Behavior

Males defend marsh territories; polygyny is common.
Huge mixed winter flocks with other blackbirds.
One of North America’s most abundant birds.

Fun facts

Epaulets can be hidden or flashed depending on context.
Females choose territories partly by male display and habitat.
Migrates in impressive swirling flocks.

Companion page for the Birds Coloring Calendar series by R. J. D. B. Fact summaries are original educational text or short paraphrases with source links. Call playback via link to All About Birds / Cornell Lab. Re-test QR codes on a phone before final print. Not affiliated with Cornell Lab or Audubon.