Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Prepared by Paul Nicholson, August 2024

The Red-winged Blackbird species is named for the look of the adult male in breeding plumage. All photos by Paul Nicholson.

The Red-winged Blackbird is a common bird across Southwestern Ontario through most of the year. This is a passerine (or perching bird) in the blackbird family Icteridae.

This bird is approximately 20 cm long. It has a short-necked, hunched profile and a slim, conical beak. The adult male in breeding plumage is mostly black but it sports red and yellow epaulets. Female Red-wings are brown, with clear streaks on the breast.

This species prefers marsh habitat. You might also find them in pastures or other grassy areas, especially if the land is adjacent to some water. You can often see and hear these birds by drainage ditches along highways or country roads.

Red-wings typically nest in marsh vegetation. It is the female that selects the final nest site and then builds the nest with plant material and mud. This species nests in loose colonies.

Interestingly, Red-winged Blackbirds are polygynous. A male will mate on his own territory with several females. Each adult female will often mate with multiple males as well.

The female Red-winged Blackbird is brown overall, with a dark back and streaking on the breast. A light eyebrow is noticeable. This adult female is carrying nesting material.

A Red-winged Blackbird’s diet consists mostly of insects. It will also eat grains in the late fall and winter.

This is a bird species that will defend chicks vigorously. Male and female Red-winged Blackbirds may harass, dive-bomb, and peck at other birds or even humans who they perceive as threats to their nests and young.

The classic call of the Red-winged Blackbird is a bold conk-er-chee. Even if a nature enthusiast was unable to identify this vocalization, the call would likely still seem familiar. Red-wings have an impressive variety of other vocalizations that range from check call notes to whistles.

Listen to the Red-winged Blackbird’s classic call below:

Red-winged Blackbird hatchlings.

Learn more about the Red-winged Blackbird's life history.

Red-wings breed across southern Canada as well as the U.S. and Mexico. Most fly south from our area by November each year. Before their departure, the birds will often congregate in large roosts of hundreds or thousands of birds. They return to us in February. The males arrive a few weeks in advance of the female birds.

The field marks of young Red-winged Blackbirds are similar to those of adult females.

The Red-winged Blackbird is an abundant native species. That said, the population across North America has declined in the last half-century.

It would be easy to argue that the Red-winged Blackbird is a truer harbinger of spring across Southwestern Ontario than the American Robin. Some American Robins overwinter in and around London, however almost all Red-wings migrate south. This migration pattern could shift, however, in the face of climate change.

In the fall, Red-winged Blackbirds will frequently flock and roost by the thousands with other blackbirds and starlings.

Help make London friendly for Red-winged Blackbirds:

When walking through Red-winged Blackbird habitat in spring and summer, avoid areas where adults are defending nests or breeding territory; keep dogs on a short leash.
Keep pet cats indoors or leashed while outside to prevent them from predating on wild birds. Learn more
Avoid use of pesticides and reduce your ecological footprint as much as possible.
Retrofit your home windows using bird-friendly materials to prevent bird-window collisions. Learn more
Drive slowly and carefully on roads next to natural areas.
Support the protection of natural habitats that Red-winged Blackbirds need for food, shelter and breeding.
Don’t leave fishing line by rivers and ponds. If you find some, consider collecting and disposing of it.
Participate in citizen science initiatives such as recording Red-winged Blackbird sightings and other bird sightings in eBird or iNaturalist.