A black male red-winged blackbird with a red shoulder patch on a branch. — Photo: Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

One of North America's most common birds; males flash red shoulder patches and boldly defend their marsh territories.

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About the Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged blackbirds are 7 to 9 inches long and weigh 1.1 to 2.7 ounces. Males are black with red shoulder patches called epaulets; females are brown and streaky like big sparrows. They live in marshes, meadows, prairies and fields near ponds. They eat seeds and grain, plus insects and spiders in the breeding season.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Agelaius phoeniceus^[1]
Size: 7 to 9 inches long; 12- to 16-inch wingspan.^[1]
Weight: 1.1 to 2.7 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: About 2 years in the wild.^[1]
Diet: Seeds and grains, plus insects, spiders and small fruit.^[1]
Habitat: Marshes, meadows, prairies and fields near water.^[1]
Where it lives: North America; northern birds winter as far south as Mexico.^[1]
Group life: Territorial males with several nesting females; huge flocks in winter.^[1]
Babies: 2 or 3 clutches a season of 3 or 4 eggs.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2018).^[2]

Fun facts

Winter flocks can include several million birds.^[1]
One male may have up to 15 females nesting in his territory.^[1]
Males will chase off animals much bigger than themselves, even people.^[1]

Vocabulary

epaulet: A shoulder patch, like the red ones on a male red-winged blackbird.
marsh: A wet, grassy area that is often flooded.
territory: An area an animal claims and defends.
migrate: To travel from one region to another with the seasons.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Red-winged blackbird.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/red-winged-blackbird (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Agelaius phoeniceus (Red-winged Blackbird).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22724191/132027891 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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