BCWF Watershed Team

We often see them dancing on telephone wires or hear their song as spring returns. The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most common birds in North America, with a range stretching coast to coast across southern Canada. As is often the case in nature, the sleek black body and vibrant red-and-yellow shoulder patches of male blackbirds tend to draw more attention than the more subdued brown-black plumage of the females.

Like human teenagers, young male Red-winged Blackbirds go through an awkward transitional stage as their feathers shift from pale and patchy to the glossy black adult plumage. Their bright colours and unmistakable call—often described as sounding like “Purple TEE-shirt!”—make them one of the most recognizable birds in wetlands and open habitats across the continent.

These birds are highly territorial during the breeding season. Many people have experienced the swoop of a protective male when walking too close to their nest. In British Columbia, Red-winged Blackbirds are most common in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, though they can be found in wetland habitats throughout the province. While most populations are migratory, some remain year-round in areas like the Puget Sound Lowland.

Their preferred habitat includes marshes and wetlands with dense vegetation, particularly Cattails (Typha spp.), which provide ideal conditions for nesting and perching. Females build their nests low among these plants, weaving together grasses and wetland materials to form a cup-shaped structure. Each clutch contains 3–5 eggs, and it’s not uncommon for two broods to be raised in a single season.

Red-winged Blackbirds are also known for their complex vocalizations. Males use a variety of calls to attract mates and defend their territory, often puffing up and spreading their red shoulder patches while calling. Their vocal and visual displays are key to their success in defending breeding grounds.

During migration and winter, Red-winged Blackbirds form large flocks, sometimes mixing with other blackbird species such as Brewer’s Blackbirds and European Starlings.

In wetland ecosystems, Red-winged Blackbirds play a key ecological role. They feed on a variety of insects, including dragonflies, beetles, and snails, helping to regulate populations of wetland invertebrates. In turn, they are an important food source for predators such as mink, hawks, and owls.

While they remain abundant, wetland loss and pesticide use in some regions have contributed to localized declines. However, they are often among the first species to return to restored wetlands, making their presence a strong indicator of ecosystem health and recovery.

Red-winged Blackbirds also hold cultural significance, featuring in Indigenous stories across North America as symbols of seasonal change and the return of spring.