April 17, 2010 | 
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Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are one of the sentinel hallmarks of Spring, sounding that distinctive call which confirms beyond any doubt that Spring has indeed arrived. If you’ve ever visited a lake shoreline or marshy area during Spring and early Summer, you’ve almost certainly heard this call:1
I want to thank my friend, Larry Jordan, blogging at The Birder’s Report, for the tip on the great birdsong resource, xeno-canto. Now, on with the show!
I didn’t realize this at the time, but the male’s habit of springing up from the emergent plants and then diving back down is his courtship dance. My go-to book on bird behavior2 is a goldmine of interesting information that offers observations and theories about the reasons behind the displays we see. The photo above shows two males – but I wonder if they are both trying to snag the attention of a female, or if they are engaged in turf-warfare?
I’m betting that this brilliant male found a mate after this flashy-dance. In fact, he may find several gals – though this would mean that he would have multiple families to take care of. The female builds the nest and incubates the young, relying on her mate(s) to help out and bring food.
Female Red-winged Blackbirds have less dramatic plumage, but are beautiful in their own right. Females have shoulder patches ranging from not-really-visible, to pretty distinctive.
At first you might think that this picture shows a couple of males, but if you look close (click to enlarge to 1200px), you’ll see that the bird below is a female. Notice the dark-but-not-black feather color and their gorgeous highlights! I am thinking that we are looking at a mated pair, with the male defending his territory…and his girl.
I’ll close with this photo of a male showing off his great shoulder patches. These birds are year-round residents of just about every state in the U.S., so if you haven’t seen one…what are you waiting for!? 
- Recorded by Andrew Spencer at Rocky Ford SWA, Otero Co., Colorado, USA. Recording available at xeno-canto.org ↩
- The Behavior of Texas Birds, by Kent Rylander, Copyright © 2002 by the University of Texas Press ↩
Posted in Birding
Thanks for the bird behavior book suggestion.
I love your photos. Our great flocks of blackbirds are dwindling here.
–Kay
Hi Kay – that book is great. And the good thing about it being a “Texas” bird book is that there are so many species of birds that reside in or migrate through Texas, it would make a great reference for just about anyone interested in bird behavior, no matter where they live in North America.
Where is “here?” I recently read at my friend, jason’s, blog (xenogere.com) that the “Rusties” were becoming alarmingly scarce. I didn’t even know about them and now they are hard to find…sad.
My favorite bird! I’ve been in love with this species since the third grade. You couldn’t have chosen a better way to put a huge smile on my face.
I do have to offer a small observation on the third and fourth photos. They both show males. Those are first summer variations in plumage (meaning they’re subadult birds). The variations are common in males and sometimes make them look like females or like tricolored blackbirds. It’s a devilishly deceptive thing.
These are beautiful captures, Amber. You really did them justice. And thank you! There’s no other bird species that could bring me such joy.
Are you kidding me? I had no idea those “girls” were really young boys. (Wow, that doesn’t sound right – but you know what I mean.) Jason, I am happy to put such a special smile on your face, and equally happy to have the benefit of your experience in recognizing the difference between subadult males and adult females. I am going to go back and update the post so that I don’t misinform people.
They are truly gorgeous – nice choice of a “favorite” bird.
Amber,
Great post. I love both the Red-winged and Yellow-headed black birds. In answer to your question about the sage grouse the answer is “yes.” In fact I was on a bus yesterday morning on birding trip where three young boys were giggling and making comments about the sage grouse males displaying. Some of their comments are not printable!!!!! I just posted a series of sharptailed grouse pictures.
Thanks.
Hi Bill – I have to say that I am glad I’m not the only one who had that thought about the sage grouses! Great…my mind is on the same level as…teenage boys?
Will be over later today or tomorrow to take a look at those sharptailed grouse pics!
Gorgeous shots of the Red-winged Blackbirds Amber! They are not easy birds to get good detail with their dark black faces but you have portrayed them beautifully. The first and last close-ups showing the male’s epaulets are marvelous and the wing-stretched diving shot is fantastic!
Thanks for the mention in your opening, xeno-canto is a great resource for bird calls. I love their call too!
Thanks for the props, Larry – those dark eyes on dark feathers are always tough. When I can see the sparkle while shooting, I know I’m in luck! Still can’t believe I mistook a young male for a female in both cases…but glad to learn.
Thank YOU for the xeno-canto references at The Birder’s Report – the sound really adds something extra, and I like it!
I have watch one red winged black bird in my area of Queens, NY. for 2 years. This year we have now about 20 red winged black birds at our park in Queens, NY. They are very loud and beautiful to look at. We enjoy them while we’re playing tennis. Love these birds.
Alma, I’m glad that the lone Red-winged Blackbird has been joined by friends. They are indeed loud, but its the sort of loud I like. Hope it doesn’t throw your tennis game off.
I love the recording of the blackbirds. We are lucky to have at least one couple in our backyard in Grand Junction, Colo. They are definitely the noisiest birds in the yard, and have multiples of song……
Kristen, those Red-winged Blackbirds sure know how to sing at the top of their lungs, don’t they?