Facts about Red-winged Blackbird

1. 08

   Winter flocking behavior allows red-winged blackbirds to form roosts exceeding 100,000 individuals in a single marsh, providing predator protection through safety in numbers.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebehaviorecologypopulation
2. 07

   Nestling red-winged blackbirds fledge at approximately 10 to 12 days old, making them among the earliest departing songbirds in North American wetlands.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebiologyreproductiontiming
3. 06

   Across North America, red-winged blackbird populations have declined by approximately 25 percent since 1966 due to wetland habitat loss and agricultural pesticide use.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14shareconservationpopulationhabitat
4. 05

   A single red-winged blackbird nest can host up to three cowbird eggs alongside its own clutch of three to four eggs, reducing fledgling survival by approximately 40 percent.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebiologyreproductionparasitism
5. 04

   Female red-winged blackbirds build woven cup nests suspended between marsh reeds, completing construction in approximately three to four days.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebehaviorbiologynesting
6. 03

   Male red-winged blackbirds sing over 3,000 different song variations to establish territory and attract mates across North American marshlands.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebiologybehaviorcommunication
7. 02

   The distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches of male red-winged blackbirds can be raised or lowered to signal aggression, making them appear 25 percent larger when fully displayed.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebehaviorcommunicationbiology
8. 01

   During breeding season, male red-winged blackbirds can mate with up to 15 different females while defending territories of just 0.5 acres.

   Red-winged BlackbirdMay 14sharebiologyreproductionmeasurement