Red-Winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus

Red wing blackbirds are typically found near water. The males have striking red shoulder patches with a yellow border which they can conceal when not displaying. The females are brown above and streaked below. Average size is 7 to 9½ inches.

The males have territories, which they defend by singing and displaying their wings. The nests are built by females and are located in trees, shrubs or rushes near or over water. Nests are made of materials such as grasses, mosses and rushes, are lined with fine grass, and are bound to surrounding vegetation with milkweed fibers. The red-winged blackbird has a distinct call, which is described as a harsh O-ka-LEEEE.

These birds’ range covers Alaska, Newfoundland south to Florida, the Gulf Coast and central Mexico. Each pair of red wing blackbirds raises 2 to 3 broods a season. Their eggs have a smooth, glossy shell, and are incubated for 10 to 12 days by the female. These birds can be seen scattered throughout the River Campus and start establishing their territories in February or March. There has been a large increase in numbers of the Red Wing Blackbirds around the River Campus wetlands in the three years after mitigation started.

Nest
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