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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
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uses bird feeders
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FIELD MARKS
The Red-winged Blackbird is a very familiar bird. The male is completely
black except for a red patch on its wings that is bordered by yellowish-white.
The male shows this striking wing patches off while on it's territory
to attract mates and warn other males that this is his territory. The
female looks quite different. She has brownish-black upperparts that are
streaked with gray and a rusty colour, and underparts that are streaked
with black and white. There is a pale reddish patch on her wings and a
lighter streak down the centre of her head and over her eyes. These blackbirds
are often found in small flocks. Approximate length: 18 cm
FOOD
This blackbird mainly eats insects, seeds and small berries. It usually
forages on the ground, but also in trees and shrubs. It is easily attracted
to bird feeders and often over runs them in large numbers. They are very
aggressive to other birds around a feeder. It is considered a economic
pest by invading framers fields in large numbers and destroying grain
crops.
HABITAT
The Red-winged Blackbird nests in marshes and swamps across Canada where
there are lots of cattails and bulrushes. It can also be found around
farmland and in bushes around the edges of water and hedgerows. Migrates
south and invades urban areas during winter.
NESTING
Nests are usually built in thick vegetation along freshwater marshes and
water edges. The nests are made of marsh vegetation such as bulrushes
and cattails and lined with fine grass. They are often woven right in
with the surrounding vegetation. The female lays 3-4 pale, bluish-green
eggs that are spotted and streaked with brown, gray, black and purple.
STATUS
Common and widespread.
DISTRIBUTION
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