Red-winged Blackbird

Male red-wing blackbird in a tree

Male Red-winged Blackbird ~Photography by Caitlyn Sippel

Female red-wing blackbird

Female Red-winged Blackbird ~Photography by Caitlyn Sippel

You may be familiar with the sight and sound of the male Red-winged Blackbird in the spring when he sits on the tops of cattails. The Red-winged Blackbird is one of the most abundant North American native bird species. They have huge flocks that may number in the millions. Red-wings live for up to 14 years, have a wingspan of 28-35 cm and grow to be 18-25 cm in length.

Voice:

They make various chit or chet calls and the male’s song sounds like kon-ker-eee (I think of it as Conquer-ee).

Watch this video to hear the Red-winged Blackbird's voice:

Nesting:

They weave a cup of grasses and mud into dense standing cattails or reeds. Red-winged Blackbirds lay 3-4 eggs in 1-2 broods between March and June.

Feeding:

They forage for grains and seeds but when breeding, will eat mainly insects.