Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) lives in wetlands across Eastern North America. It feeds on insects and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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Winter bird counts have recorded red-winged blackbird flocks that exceed a million individuals, and the total number of breeding pairs across North and Central America can top 250 million in peak years, making it arguably the most abundant land bird in North America. The species breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico and Guatemala, with isolated populations further south.
When the red shoulder patches of male red-winged blackbirds were dyed black, 64 % lost their territories while only 8 % of untreated birds were displaced, demonstrating the patches' importance in male territorial defence. These wing markings are vital in defending a territory, with larger spots helping males chase away rivals and win contests.
The red spots on the wings of red-winged blackbirds contain a rare pigment mix: 35 % astaxanthin, 28 % lutein, 23 % canthaxanthin and 12 % zeaxanthin, balanced with melanin, a combination unusual for any species. The feathers also hold a high proportion of eumelanin (about 83 % of all melanins) and pheomelanin at levels comparable to the carotenoids, a rare trait for carotenoid-based ornamental plumage.
Male red-winged blackbirds are considerably larger than females, weighing between 65 and 80 g compared with about 35 g for females, which makes the males roughly 50 % heavier. Their body length ranges from 22 to 24 cm while females measure only 17-18 cm, giving males about a 20 % advantage in linear dimensions.
Red-winged blackbirds do not attain their full adult plumage until after their first breeding season, typically when they are thirteen to fifteen months old, unlike most North American passerines that mature in their first year. This delayed molt means that one-year-old birds retain a juvenile appearance and can be distinguished from mature adults during the breeding period.
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As the sun rises over the wetlands, the Red-winged Blackbird emerges, its glossy black plumage glistening like polished onyx, while its vibrant red and yellow epaulets flash like beacons, signaling its presence to the world. With a fluid, almost languid motion, it glides across the marshy landscape, its long, pointed wings beating in a slow, deliberate rhythm, as if savoring the sheer joy of flight. In this realm of cattails and water lilies, the Red-winged Blackbird reigns supreme, its melodic song filling the air, a rich, throaty serenade that echoes across the landscape.
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