Fun Facts about Red-winged Blackbirds

- Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most recognizable birds to return in the spring

- Males have black shiny feathers accented with yellow and red wing epaulets. Females are streaked brown, with a yellowish wash around the bill.

- Males with larger red wing markings are more successful at defending their territory.

- Males return first in the spring and sing their familiar “conk-la-ree” song, often while perching on bull-rushes and branches near marshlands.

- Red-winged Blackbirds can even be found near many golf course water hazards.
- These beautiful birds eat many more insects in the summer than in winter, enjoying butterflies, moths, flies, worms, spiders, and frogs.

- Typically, nests are built by the female, closer to the ground in marshy areas. Nesting materials used are long grasses and stringy material such as reeds. Wet leaves and mud are used to form a cup, which is then lined with fine material.

- Red-winged Blackbirds can lay up to 1-3 clutches of 2-4 eggs.

- Red-winged Blackbirds can be found across much of Canada during breeding season, and many residents of the continental U.S. do not migrate at all.

- These birds are a species of least concern. Overcoming habitat loss, they have managed to remain one of the most widely spread birds in North America.