Common Nesting Birds

meet your neighbors

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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Photo © Kyle McCreary

Nest with eggs

Photo © Lorraine Eldrod

Nestlings

Photo © G. M. Vargas

Nest

Photo © Ross Michaels

Nest-building

Photo © Ross Michaels

Breeding male (Red-winged)

Photo © Connor Charchuk | Macaulay Library

Female (Red-winged)

Photo © Andrew Simon | Macaulay Library

Breeding male (Red-winged)

Photo © Brad Imhoff | Macaulay Library

Female (Red-winged)

Photo © Richard Trinkner | Macaulay Library

Nonbreeding male (Red-winged)

Photo © Scott Martin | Macaulay Library

Breeding male (California Bicolored)

Photo © Tim Lenz | Macaulay Library

Female (California Bicolored)

Photo © Brian Sullivan | Macaulay Library

Breeding male (Mexican Bicolored)

Photo © Anuar López | Macaulay Library

Breeding male (Red-winged)

Photo © Ian Davies | Macaulay Library

Breeding male (Red-winged)

Photo © Jonathan Eckerson | Macaulay Library

Female (Red-winged)

Photo © Lewnanny Richardson | Macaulay Library

Flock

Photo © Ian Davies | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Richard W. Simmers | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Dave Slager | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Richard W. Simmers | Macaulay Library

Duet (Red-winged)

© Richard W. Simmers | Macaulay Library

Song (Red-winged)

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls (Red-winged)

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls (Red-winged)

© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library

Calls (Red-winged)

© Randolph Little | Macaulay Library

Calls (Red-winged)

© Randolph Little | Macaulay Library

Calls (Red-winged)

© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library

Calls (Red-winged)

© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library

Calls (Red-winged)

© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library

Song (California Bicolored)

© Ed Pandolfino | Macaulay Library

Song (California Bicolored)

© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay Library

Song (California Bicolored)

© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay Library

Song (California Bicolored)

© Nathan Pieplow

Duet (California Bicolored)

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls (California Bicolored)

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay Library

Calls (California Bicolored)

© Paul Fenwick | Macaulay Library

Calls (California Bicolored)

© Arthur A. Allen | Macaulay Library

Song (Mexican Bicolored)

© manuel grosselet | Macaulay Library

Song (Mexican Bicolored)

© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay Library

Calls (Mexican Bicolored)

© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay Library

Calls (Mexican Bicolored)

© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay Library

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Source: Birds of the World

Habitats

marsh

Substrates

Bush or Shrub

reeds

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cup

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

2
4

Nest Height

14 ft
0 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

11-13
days

Brooding Period

11-14
days

Useful Hints

  • The Red-winged Blackbird is a highly polygynous species, meaning males have many female mates – up to 15 in some cases. Typically 5 or more females have to crowd their nests into any one male’s territory.
  • Second broods are rare for this species, but they can occur if time permits.
  • Hatching is asynchronous and usually takes place just after sunrise.

More Resources

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology