Red-winged Blackbird Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Tricolored Blackbird
Male
Tricolored and Red-winged Blackbirds overlap in California. Male Tricolored Blackbirds can be distinguished by their overall glossier plumage and a white (not yellow) border on their shoulders or epaulets.
© Daniel Murphy | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 14, 2017Similar Species
Tricolored Blackbird
Female
Tricolored and Red-winged Blackbirds overlap in California. Female Tricolored Blackbirds are a somewhat colder charcoal-gray overall with less streaking than female Red-winged Blackbirds.
© Paul Fenwick | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 07, 2016Similar Species
Song Sparrow
Adult
Song Sparrows and other streaky sparrows sometimes look like female Red-winged Blackbirds, though they are smaller and shorter tailed, with a shorter, thicker bill than a blackbird.
© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2010Main Species
Red-winged Blackbird
Breeding male (Red-winged)
Stocky, broad-shouldered blackbird with a slender, conical bill. Males have a red shoulder patch bordered in yellow.
© Connor Charchuk | Macaulay LibraryAlberta, May 12, 2019Female (Red-winged)
Stocky, broad-shouldered blackbird with a slender, conical bill. Females are brown and heavily streaked overall with a yellowish wash around the bill.
© Andrew Simon | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, August 11, 2019Breeding male (Red-winged)
Displaying males sit on cattails and other high perches, spreading their wings and puffing out their shoulder patches while singing and calling.
© Tim Laman | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 19, 2009Not all videos have sound
Female (Red-winged)
Often seen on the ground foraging or gathering nesting material. Females look very different from males, but have the same long, pointed bill and stocky stature. This video has no audio.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 01, 1997Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding male (Red-winged)
Nonbreeding males often look scaly and have incomplete red shoulder patches.
© Scott Martin | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 12, 2017Breeding male (California Bicolored)
Males in California lack the yellow border on the red shoulder patch.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 02, 2018Breeding male (Red-winged)
In addition to the male's "conk-la-ree" song, males and females make several calls including a harsh "check" note and a high, thin whistle.
© Eric Liner | Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 01, 2008Not all videos have sound
Female (California Bicolored)
Female birds in California often have more cinnamon tones to their feathers and dark undertail coverts with less streaking.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 03, 2016Breeding male (Mexican Bicolored)
Birds breeding in Mexico lack the yellow border to the red shoulder patch.
© Anuar López | Macaulay LibraryMéxico, August 03, 2016Flock
Forms large flocks in winter in marshes and open habitats, sometimes with other blackbird species.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, February 28, 2012Not all videos have sound
Breeding male (Red-winged)
Males spend much of the breeding season sitting on a high perch over their territories and singing their hearts out.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 08, 2014Breeding male (Red-winged)
Males display by holding their wings out to show off the red shoulder patches.
© Jonathan Eckerson | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 25, 2017Female (Red-winged)
Breeds in wetlands.
© Lewnanny Richardson | Macaulay LibraryNew Brunswick, July 07, 2016Flock
Flocks in the thousands with other blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and starlings.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 01, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Icteridae)
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