Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Common and widespread in NC, Red-winged Blackbirds form huge colonial winter roosts, especially in areas of the coastal plain like Pungo and Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuges. Flocks can number in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of birds.

	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Digiscoped Dare Co., NC 24 May 2006

	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Washington Co., NC 30 June 2006 Males show off their rich red epilets while singing on territory.
	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Washington Co., NC 30 June 2006 The male above was protecting his nest, partially concealed in the Buttonbush!

	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Castaway Cay, 8 miles off the coast of Abaco, Bahamas 29 Nov 2008 Females are streaked brown & cream with a light eyebrow.
	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Castaway Cay, 8 miles off the coast of Abaco, Bahamas 29 Nov 2008

	Blackbird flock Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Dare Co., NC 8 Nov 2008 Large flocks of blackbirds, mostly Red-winged but also with grackles, cowbirds, and starling, forage and roost together in fall and winter in the Carolinas.
	Blackbird flock Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Dare Co., NC 8 Nov 2008
	Blackbird flock Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Dare Co., NC 8 Nov 2008

	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Missoula Co., MT 11 May 2010
	Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Missoula Co., MT 11 May 2010

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Created on ... May 29, 2006 | Updated on ... May 22, 2010 | jspippen@duke.edu