Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most recognizable and widespread birds in North America—bold, vocal, and always ready to put on a show. Males are jet-black with vivid red and yellow shoulder patches, called epaulettes, which they flash dramatically during displays to defend their territory or impress a mate. Females, in contrast, are streaky brown and often mistaken for sparrows, but they carry just as much personality.

Found in marshes, wetlands, meadows, and even roadside ditches, Red-winged Blackbirds are early signs of spring, arriving in flocks with their loud, unmistakable “conk-a-reeee!” call. During the breeding season, males perch high on reeds or cattails, singing and showing off their fiery wing patches to warn off rivals and attract mates.

These birds are fiercely territorial and highly social. Outside the breeding season, they gather in huge roosts, sometimes numbering in the thousands, filling the sky with movement and sound. They're also adaptable, thriving in both wild wetlands and human-altered landscapes, where they help control insect populations and add a splash of color to the scene.

Symbolizing strength, confidence, and the enduring rhythms of nature, the Red-winged Blackbird is a beloved ambassador of North America’s wetlands—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore.