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Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

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45.8188, -92.6408

Field Notes

Description:

The red-winged blackbird is a common bird over much of North America. The adult male (shown) is small black bird with red and yellow epaulets on the shoulders. The female is a dark brown with patterning on the breast, buff around the face, and a darker cap and line through the eye.

Habitat:

Typically I think of these birds staking out breeding territories in wetlands, but I've found many pairs nesting in upland agricultural hay fields and deep grass meadows.

Notes:

I remember the male red-wings "dive-bombing" me while I was walking through hay fields in southwestern Wisconsin on my way to elementary school. Many spring mornings would find me leaving home early and standing in the field to see if one would actually make contact. They made me flinch often, but none ever actually struck me. It was one my first "experiments" with wildlife behavior.

Reference Links:

Red-winged Blackbird

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Gordon Dietzman
It's interesting that so many people have had such an affinity for this bird and such vivid stories. Maybe it's because they are arguably North America's most common bird and are often found in such close proximity to people. Or, perhaps, its because of their exuberance in spring. They are really very cool birds and I've certainly enjoyed all the comments that this spotting has generated.
KarenL
I love red-wings! They nest in the ornamental grasses at the end of our drive & for a couple of weeks this summer I was getting dive-bombed by the females every time I went to pick up the mail!
AmyLynetteBanton
I've only seen these guys once in the wild but when the fly and you see that short flash of color, it's just beautiful. Great shot.
Thurd13
great photo, such a stunning bird!
MaryOhkwari
Your shots are all so beautiful, this one is hardly an exception. :) Lovely childhood story to go with it, as well.
Gordon Dietzman
I have friends along the red-wing's migratory path and with their reports I can literally track the migration. Anticipation builds and I can usually predict within a couple of days when they will show up. There are other migratory birds that show up first, but none say spring to me more than red-wings.
LauraMaria
Gordon, your photos make me so home sick! I used to get excited when the red-winged blackbirds came back for the spring :) A very friendly and familiar sight for me

Spotted for Missions

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Birds of the World
Photographed
PublishedMay 20, 2011

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