The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a very common and widespread bird in North America. Red-winged blackbirds are migratory birds that breed in most of North America and winter in the southern United States and Mexico. They inhabit open, marshy areas with dense vegetation, including wet meadows, prairies, marshes, and agricultural areas. Red-winged blackbirds build nests low in shrubs, grasses, or cattails near water. Here are some key questions answered about where red-winged blackbirds live:
Where is the red-winged blackbird found? Red-winged blackbirds are found throughout most of North America. Their breeding range stretches from Alaska and Canada southward to northern California, New Mexico, and North Carolina.
What habitats do red-winged blackbirds prefer? Red-winged blackbirds inhabit open, marshy areas with dense vegetation, especially wetlands. They are commonly found in wet meadows, prairies, marshes, swamps, pond edges, agricultural fields, and ditches.
Where do red-winged blackbirds nest? Red-winged blackbirds build nests very close to shallow water, usually just a few feet off the ground in dense clumps of cattails, shrubs, or other wetland vegetation. The nests are cup-shaped and made of wetland grasses and sedges.
Where do red-winged blackbirds spend the winter? Most red-winged blackbirds from northern parts of their range migrate south and spend the winter in the southern United States and Mexico. They winter in fresh and saltwater marshes, wet agricultural fields, grasslands, and woodland edges.
Do red-winged blackbirds stay in the same area year-round? Red-winged blackbirds that breed in southern parts of their range, like California, the South, and Gulf Coast, are often permanent residents that stay in the same area year-round. Most northern populations migrate south for the winter.
Breeding Range and Habitat
The red-winged blackbird breeding range stretches across much of North America, from Alaska and Canada southward to the central United States. Here are some details on the habitats they occupy during breeding season:
Alaska and Canada: In Alaska, red-winged blackbirds breed across the mainland and on the Aleutian Islands. In Canada, they breed from Yukon and Northwest Territories eastward throughout all provinces and territories. They inhabit boreal wetlands, wet meadows, and agricultural areas.
Western United States: Red-winged blackbirds breed throughout the western continental states from Washington south to California and east to Colorado and New Mexico. They inhabit wetlands, fields, and meadows.
Midwestern United States: Throughout the Midwest, red-winged blackbirds occupy wet prairies, marshes, agricultural fields, and meadows. They breed from North Dakota south to Nebraska and eastward through the Great Lakes region.
Northeastern United States: In the northeast, red-winged blackbirds breed from Maine west to New York and Pennsylvania and south to Maryland and West Virginia. Coastal marshes and wet fields are prime habitat.
Southeastern United States: Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, red-winged blackbirds breed from North Carolina south to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to Texas. Coastal marshes provide excellent habitat.
Favorite Breeding Habitats
- Marshes and wet meadows with cattails
- Wet prairies
- Edges of ponds, lakes, and streams
- Flooded agricultural fields
- Roadside ditches
- Grasslands with patches of shrubs and small trees
Red-winged blackbirds gravitate towards wetlands across their breeding range. They particularly favor marshes, wet meadows, and flooded agricultural fields with vegetation like cattails and sedges for nesting habitat. Upland grasslands with thickets and shrubs are also used.
Wintering Range and Habitat
Most red-winged blackbird populations that breed in Canada and the northern United States migrate south for winter. They winter in the southern United States and Mexico in the following regions:
Southeastern United States: From Virginia and the Carolinas south along the Atlantic coast through Florida and westward along the Gulf Coast to Texas, red-winged blackbirds spend the winter in fresh and saltwater wetlands.
Southwestern United States: Throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas, they winter along rivers and streams, in wet meadows, and irrigated agricultural fields and desert grasslands.
California: Large numbers of redwings winter in central and southern California in wetlands, fields, and grasslands.
Mexico: Red-winged blackbirds are common winter residents along both the Pacific and Gulf coasts of Mexico, occupying coastal wetlands, agricultural areas, and grasslands.
Favorite Wintering Habitats
- Freshwater marshes and wet fields
- Grasslands
- Coastal marshes and mangrove swamps
- Flooded agricultural fields
- Desert grasslands and streams
- Suburban parks and backyards
Red-winged blackbirds are drawn to open wetland habitats while wintering, especially freshwater marshes and wet agricultural fields. They also forage extensively in pastures and grasslands. Urban parks and backyards with feeders attract many red-winged blackbirds during winter.
Year-Round Ranges
Red-winged blackbird populations that nest in the southernmost parts of their range along the Pacific Coast, Gulf Coast, and south Atlantic Coast are often year-round residents. Here are the details on their year-round ranges:
Pacific Coast: From central California south to Baja California in Mexico, red-winged blackbirds can be found year-round in coastal marshes, wet meadows, agricultural fields, and grasslands.
Gulf Coast: On the Gulf Coast, resident populations of red-winged blackbirds occur from southern Texas along the coast to Florida. Fresh and saltwater wetlands provide habitat.
South Atlantic Coast: From coastal North Carolina south through Georgia and Florida, resident red-winged blackbird populations live in marshes, swamps, and wet fields.
Southwestern deserts: In wetlands along the lower Colorado River and other desert streams and oases, red-winged blackbirds are permanent residents.
Mexico: Along both coasts of Mexico, resident populations occur south to the Guatemala border, favoring coastal wetlands and agricultural areas.
Favorite Year-Round Habitats
- Freshwater and coastal marshes
- Wet meadows and prairies
- Agricultural fields and ditches
- Desert riparian wetlands
- Parks and suburbs with water
From the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, red-winged blackbirds stick close to aquatic habitats year-round throughout their resident ranges. Coastal and inland marshes surrounded by agricultural fields provide ideal year-round range. Nearby parks and suburbs are also utilized.
Altitude Range
Red-winged blackbirds occupy a wide range of elevations across North America:
- Coastal areas: At sea level along the coasts
- Central plains and prairies: 1,000 – 2,000 feet
- Western mountains: Up to 8,000 feet in wet mountain meadows
- Mexico highlands: Up to 10,000 feet in valleys
They are most abundant near sea level along the coasts and at lower elevations inland. But red-winged blackbirds can inhabit higher mountain elevations wherever suitable wetland habitat exists. They have been recorded up to 10,000 feet in Mexico’s highland valleys.
Territory Size
Red-winged blackbirds are highly territorial during the breeding season. The sizes of male territories vary:
- Northern populations: 0.5 – 2 acres
- Southern populations: 0.25 – 1 acre
- Coastal populations: As small as 0.1 acre
Territory size tends to decrease from north to south. Males in southern populations and coastal areas defend smaller territories as little as 0.1 acre around nesting sites in dense marshes. Males in northern boreal wetlands defend larger territories up to 2 acres.
Factors Affecting Territory Size
- Habitat quality – Better habitat allows smaller territories
- Population density – More dense populations have smaller territories
- Availability of nesting sites – More nest sites mean smaller territories
- Food availability – More food resources permit smaller territories
The quality of habitat is a key factor determining territory size. Males defend smaller territories when dense wetland vegetation offers plenty of nest sites and insect prey. Larger territories are required when habitat is drier with fewer resources.
Conservation Status
Organization | Status |
---|---|
IUCN Red List | Least Concern |
ESA | Not listed |
The red-winged blackbird has an extensive range and large global population estimated at over 200 million birds. Population trends are stable, so the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. They are not listed under the Endangered Species Act in the United States.
Threats and Challenges
Though still abundant, red-winged blackbirds face threats including:
- Wetland drainage and destruction
- Conversion of grasslands to agriculture
- Climate change affecting habitat
- Pesticides reducing insect prey
Protection of remaining wetlands throughout their range is important for habitat. Conservation of upland nesting areas near wetlands is also beneficial.
Adaptations for Habitat
Red-winged blackbirds have several key adaptations to thrive in wetland habitats:
- Bill shape – Long, pointed bill adept at grabbing insects in vegetation.
- Feet – Grasping feet allow perching on reeds and grabbing food while wading.
- Plumage – Males have bright red and yellow shoulder patches used in displays. Females are streaked brown for camouflage in vegetation.
- Migration – Northern populations migrate south in winter when wetlands freeze.
Their long bills allow them to pick insects off vegetation. Grasping feet let them readily perch on upright reeds and nest in wetland plants. Plumage patterns help with territorial displays (males) and hiding nests (females). Migration enables them to continue inhabiting northern wetlands in summer.
Behavioral Adaptations
- Build nests in dense wetland vegetation over or near water for protection
- Huddle in large roosting flocks in winter for warmth
- Males fiercely defend breeding territories with song and displays
- Forage in large mixed flocks outside of breeding season
These behaviors all help red-winged blackbirds thrive long-term in wetland habitats across North America.
Conclusion
In summary, red-winged blackbirds are widespread wetland birds found across North America. They inhabit freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and agricultural fields. Northern populations migrate south in winter while southern groups along the coasts often stay year-round. They are designated as Least Concern by conservation groups as their populations remain large. Ongoing protection of wetland habitats will help ensure red-winged blackbirds continue thriving across their range into the future.