Red-winged Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird’s (Agelaius phoeniceus) song is known as the herald of spring. ‘Con-ka-ree’ he proclaims as in victory over the long harsh winter. The male is distinguished by black with yellow-bordered red shoulder patch.

Red and Yellow Shoulder Caps on Redwing Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird is common throughout North America and Mexico. They reside in swamps, marshes, farmlands and ponds but they travel and live in flocks.

Redwing Blackbird takes flight

During the late summer, the Red-winged Blackbirds vanish to a marsh where they hide in the vegetation, molt their flight feathers and grow new ones. When they re-appear, they are ready to migrate to the south for the winter. They range in size to 13 cm.

Redwing blackbird in the marsh