# Red-winged Blackbird (*Agelaius phoeniceus*) The Red-winged Blackbird is a cheerful bird with shiny black feathers and bright red shoulder patches. They love to sing and can often be found near wetlands and ponds. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 519 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and marshes - **Also known as:** Red-winged Blackbird (Eastern) ![Red-winged Blackbird](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426272/objects/4535.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-winged Blackbird male is glossy black with striking bright red shoulder patches, bordered in yellow. Females are streaky brown with lighter underparts and a faint reddish hue on their shoulders, appearing much duller than males. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Agelaius ## Interesting facts - A single male Red-winged Blackbird can have up to 15 female mates in one breeding season! - Baby blackbirds, called fledglings, leave their nests just 10-14 days after hatching. - During winter, Red-winged Blackbirds gather in enormous flocks, sometimes thousands strong! - These birds weave their cup-shaped nests into cattails, often directly over shallow water for safety. ## Special abilities - **Territory Protector:** Red-winged Blackbirds can fiercely defend their nests from much larger threats, because of their bravery, helping protect their young. - **Acrobatic Forager:** Red-winged Blackbirds can snatch insects mid-air and pluck seeds from tall grasses, showcasing agile flight for diverse food. - **Vocal Dominator:** Red-winged Blackbirds have a loud, distinctive 'conk-la-ree!' song that helps them declare territory and attract mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-37 cm - **Weight:** 0.032-0.077 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-6 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 1000 km ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores enjoy a varied diet of insects, spiders, seeds, and grains. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Seeds, Grains, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — Provides crucial nesting sites woven into its stalks. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Feeds on grains from agricultural fields, especially corn. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common raptor that preys on adult blackbirds. - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Known to raid nests for eggs and young nestlings. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Red-winged Blackbirds are generally safe to watch from a distance. Always be kind to animals and respect their space. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-winged Blackbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-winged Blackbird? 17-23 cm ### What is Red-winged Blackbird's wingspan? 30-37 cm ### How much does Red-winged Blackbird weigh? 0.032-0.077 kg ### How long does Red-winged Blackbird live? 2-6 years ### How fast can Red-winged Blackbird move? 45 km/h ### What does Red-winged Blackbird eat? These omnivores enjoy a varied diet of insects, spiders, seeds, and grains. ### Where is Red-winged Blackbird usually found? Wetlands and marshes ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Red-winged Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-winged-blackbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Red-winged Blackbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-winged-blackbird)