Red-winged Blackbird

Adult males are glossy black with red shoulder patches edged in yellow, though the patches may be partly concealed. Females are brown and heavily streaked with a pale eyebrow, resembling a large sparrow more than the male.

Occurs across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada through the United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Northern birds migrate south, while many southern populations are resident.

Freshwater and brackish marshes, wet meadows, ditches, hayfields, agricultural land, and brushy edges near water.

Seeds and waste grain form much of the nonbreeding diet; insects, spiders, and other invertebrates are important during the breeding season.