Red-winged Blackbird

Some medium size birds that keep coming back after their annual migration are the Red-winged Blackbirds. Usually in company of other species of the family blackbirds.

The common name for the red-winged blackbird is taken from the mainly black adult male’s distinctive red shoulder patches, or “epaulets”, which are visible when the bird is flying or displaying. At rest, the male also shows a pale yellow wingbar. The female is blackish-brown and paler below. The female is smaller than the male.

Young birds resemble the female, but are paler below and have buff feather fringes. Both sexes have a sharply pointed bill. The tail is of medium length and is rounded. The eyes, bill, and feet are all black.

The red-winged blackbird is omnivorous. It feeds primarily on plant materials, including seeds from weeds and waste grain such as corn and rice, but about a quarter of its diet consists of insects and other small animals, and considerably more so during breeding season. It prefers insects, such as dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, moths, and flies, but also consumes snails, frogs, eggs, carrion, worms, spiders, mollusks. The red-winged blackbird forages for insects by picking them from plants, or by catching them in flight. In season, it eats blueberries, blackberries, and other fruit. These birds can be lured to backyard bird feeders by bread and seed mixtures and suet. In late summer and in autumn, the red-winged blackbird will feed in open fields, mixed with grackles, cowbirds, and starlings in flocks which can number in the thousands.

Photo Gallery

Female

Female

Tags: birds, nature, photography, photos of birds, Red-Winged Blackbird

15 thoughts on “Red-winged Blackbird”

Eli Pacheco on June 5, 2015 at 8:19 am said:

These were far more common in Colorado, where I grew up, than in North Carolina, where I am now. I see them now and then, and it makes me think of home. The red-winged blackbird and meadowlark – I miss the meadowlarks!

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- avian101 on June 5, 2015 at 10:04 am said:
  
  I’m glad that my post brought you back memories Eli. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on June 5, 2015 at 11:03 am said:

Great post, RH. I find the RWB so lovely to look at and their song, so wonderfully melodious. 🙂

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- avian101 on June 5, 2015 at 12:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jet! 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on June 5, 2015 at 11:03 am said:

Such beautiful birds, I think that the last picture is the best in my opinion.

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- avian101 on June 5, 2015 at 12:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Susan! 🙂
  
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Just Jude on June 5, 2015 at 3:20 pm said:

I’m glad to be back and happy as always to read your posts and enjoy your photos. This bird species is one I miss from my midwest living days. I seldom find them up here in the mountains. Thanks much!

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- avian101 on June 5, 2015 at 3:35 pm said:
  
  Welcome back Judy! I’m glad that you like the RWB! 🙂
  
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  - Just Jude on June 5, 2015 at 3:41 pm said:
    
    Oh, yes, I do. They were plentiful were I grew up living on a farm in Michigan. These birds invoke wonderful memories. I loved watching the male’s tip there heads far back boldly calling out Conck-a-reeee!
tootlepedal on June 5, 2015 at 6:03 pm said:

A good set of pictures HJ. What a difference between the male and the female.

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- avian101 on June 5, 2015 at 6:10 pm said:
  
  Yes! Quite remarkable! Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
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Aquileana on June 6, 2015 at 9:16 am said:

I can´t but think of the Beatles´ song! Great pics, HJ… All the very best to you. Aquileana 😀

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- avian101 on June 6, 2015 at 10:44 am said:
  
  Thank you so much Aquileana! Bear hug to you! 🙂
  
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45DegreesNorth on June 6, 2015 at 8:06 pm said:

I love being out on the lake in the evening up north and listening to their clicks and whistles as they forage in the reeds and grasses on the lake shore. Just seeing your photos brings back such great memories!

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- avian101 on June 6, 2015 at 9:57 pm said:
  
  Thank you Amy for sharing! 🙂
  
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