Red-winged Blackbird - early spring migrant

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Red-winged Blackbird

One of spring's earliest migrants in southern Ontario is the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).   They are currently showing up in early April.

Female

Fledgling

Red-winged Blackbirds are found in practically every marsh and weedy ditch in temperate North America.   The males orange shoulder patches can be obvious (especially in song display) or partially hidden in body feathers.    The patches are usually bordered yellow (see top photo).

Outside the nesting season, they wander through farmlands, marshes, and forest edges, and walking on the ground in open fields, and foraging in those fields.

They breed from central Alaska east to southern Newfoundland.   They winter from southern British Columbia and southern New England southward.

Their distinctive song is a loud forced 'konk-a-ree' and and calls include a low 'chuck' and a metallic 'kink'.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder