Red-Winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
DescriptionRed Winged Blackbirds are easily spotted by the flash of bright red on their wings. They also have a loud and distinctive call that sounds like "o-ka-leee". The birds range covers most of the continental United States. These pretty birds often flock together with other blackbird species. The government is currently threatening these birds because they eat crop grains.
General: 7 to 9.5 inches in length.
Male has all black plumage. Thin, pointed black bill. Large bright red patch, bordered on one side by a yellow stripe, on both shoulders. Immature males look similar to females.
Females are brown and heavily streaked. Black bill, brown crown.
Marshes, swamps, meadows, ready areas of lakes.
Nesting3-5 pale blue eggs with dark brown and purple spots. They have a 10-12 day incubation period. Fledging occurs 11-14 days after hatching. The nest is an open cup made from marsh grass and reeds, and is hidden amoung marsh vegetation (such as reeds) or in a bush in a marsh.
View Gallery