Observations by anisajackson

The Red-Winged Blackbird is one of the most common native birds in North America. In 1974 the species was estimated to be of 190 million. Recently the population has slightly decreased but it is not of a large enough decrease so it is not of any concern. The population decrease is most likely due to the filling and draining of wetlands and other conflicts having to do with human interaction. The Red-winged Blackbird males are recognizable by their lustrous black feathers with hints of scarlet and yellow on the shoulders. The females are of a more gentle brown color, another classic example of color dimorphism, where the females are of a duller coloring. Not only do the males attract females with their bright and colorful shoulder patches, but also based on the quality of the territory that they have defended. The length of both sexes ranges from 7-9 inches and they typically weigh up to 2.7 ounces. The tail feathers are of a medium-length and the bill is slender and conical. The call of the male Red-Winged Blackbird cannot be missed; it is a loud “conk-la-ree” (please listen to the recording of the Red-Winged Blackbird above). The call of the female is much shorter and is more similar to a series of around 5 checks or chits. Males are often found on high perches, while the females are lower, weaving their nests, and looking for food. The diet of the Red-winged Blackbird includes grains and seeds but during breeding season their diets include more protein-rich insects. These birds are often found near water, but also in drier fields. They are frequently spotted at the Union Bay Natural Area near the University of Washington’s Seattle campus. This species of bird can also be found throughout all of the continental United States, in the Caribbean and Central America (to El Salvador) and even north of the continental United Sates, in Canada during the breeding season. The northern birds migrate to the southern United States, but the populations in the south do not migrate.