Red-winged Blackbird
A familiar native blackbird of wet vegetation and open ground that may pass through a yard, especially outside breeding season.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Status
Backyard reports
Look for it
Look near cattails, wet ditches, meadow edges, wires, and mixed winter blackbird flocks.
Food
Mostly insects through summer, then weedy seeds, sunflower, grain, and other seeds in cooler months.
Nesting
Natural nesting guidance
One useful next step
Build for the habitat, not just the feeder.
Nearby marshes, wet meadow edges, and native seed plants matter far more than a typical suburban feeder.
See the yard actionsA good yard is layered
Food helps, but cover, clean water, native plants, and a safe distance from hazards make a more dependable place for birds.
Red-winged Blackbird habitat
Nearby marshes, wet meadow edges, and native seed plants matter far more than a typical suburban feeder.
Red-winged Blackbird diet and food
Mostly insects through summer, then weedy seeds, sunflower, grain, and other seeds in cooler months.
Use only small, clean amounts of seed on a ground area if you choose to observe it; do not create a large, permanent grain station.
How to attract it
Food & feeder
Mostly insects through summer, then weedy seeds, sunflower, grain, and other seeds in cooler months.
Cover & plants
Nearby marshes, wet meadow edges, and native seed plants matter far more than a typical suburban feeder.
Red-winged Blackbird nesting and breeding
Nests low among marsh stems, shrubs, or trees; treat any breeding-season wet vegetation as sensitive cover.
Red-winged Blackbird behavior and where to look
Males sing from high exposed perches while females forage lower in vegetation; birds can gather in very large nonbreeding flocks.
Photography
Photograph from a public edge or yard boundary and keep well clear of a territorial bird near a wetland nest.
What to avoid
Do not scatter large amounts of grain or approach breeding territories; males may defend nests aggressively.
Continue exploring
Explore related bird guides
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
