Brewer’s Blackbird or Red-Winged Blackbird ?

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

There's more to learn about Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

How to recognise a red-winged blackbird?

General appearance

The Red-winged Blackbird's general size ranges between 7 to 9 1/2 inches (18-24 cm). Its wings are broad and rounded with a rounded, square-tipped tail. With coloration varying from black, brown, orange, red to yellow, these birds are about the size of a Robin.

Male vs female

Male Red-winged blackbirds are noticeable with shoulder patches that may be either evident, particularly in song display, or mostly concealed by body feathers. These patches are typically bordered yellow, but in central California, these can be entirely red. Females, on the other hand, present very differently. They display streaky brown coloration with a buff eyebrow.

Juvenile

Younger red-winged blackbirds, like the females, appear streaky brown. They resemble sparrows but possess different behavior aids, darker lower belly, and a spikier bill distinguishing them from the common sparrows. With age and seasonal variations, their coloration and physical traits progress and develop into that of respective adult males and females.

Size

6.3 - 9.8 in/1.1 - 2.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Red-winged blackbirds primarily inhabit marshes, particularly freshwater marshes, brushy swamps, rank weedy fields, and hayfields.

Additional range

In addition to primary habitats, they also venture into cultivated land and the outskirts of water bodies. They can sometimes be found in unexpected environments like farm fields, pastures, feedlots, and mudflats, especially outside of the breeding season.

Range Map

What do red-winged blackbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-winged blackbird primarily feeds on insects and seeds. In the summer, its diet consists mainly of various insects such as beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, as well as spiders, millipedes, and snails. Approximately three-fourths of the adult's annual diet is composed of seeds, which includes those from grasses, weeds, and waste grain. The bird also occasionally consumes berries and small fruits.

Bird feeders

Red-winged blackbirds commonly visit bird feeders where they are attracted to seeds and grains. They often feed on sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet. These birds readily adapt to available feed in backyard settings, making them frequent guests at feeders.

What does a red-winged blackbird sound like?

The red-winged blackbird exhibits an eclectic range of vocalizations. Its signature song is a rich, musical "o-ka-leeee" often used to declare its territory. Its calls vary, featuring a rising pattern and including different types like chatter, chirp or chip, scream, trill, and whistle. These diverse sounds contribute to its unique sound repertoire, abandoning subtlety for striking, tuneful melodies.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

There's more to learn about Red-Winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

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Red-Winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

General appearance

The Brewer’s blackbird is a medium-sized songbird with a slender body and a rounded head. It has a pointed bill and relatively long legs. The overall plumage is glossy with an iridescent sheen under certain lighting conditions, predominantly appearing black from a distance.

Male vs female

Male Brewer’s blackbirds are characterized by their glossy black overall color, with a purplish sheen on the head and greenish gloss on the body and wings. Females, however, display a more subdued appearance, with brownish-gray plumage, pale throat, and lack the iridescence that males exhibit. Their eyes are darker than those of males.

Juvenile

Juvenile Brewer’s blackbirds resemble females but are generally duller in tone. They have brownish feathers with a streaky appearance and lack the iridescence seen in adults. Unlike adults, their eyes are typically dark brown rather than the yellow seen in mature males.

Size

7.9 - 9.8 in/2.0 - 2.4 oz

There's more to learn about Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

General appearance

The Red-winged Blackbird's general size ranges between 7 to 9 1/2 inches (18-24 cm). Its wings are broad and rounded with a rounded, square-tipped tail. With coloration varying from black, brown, orange, red to yellow, these birds are about the size of a Robin.

Male vs female

Male Red-winged blackbirds are noticeable with shoulder patches that may be either evident, particularly in song display, or mostly concealed by body feathers. These patches are typically bordered yellow, but in central California, these can be entirely red. Females, on the other hand, present very differently. They display streaky brown coloration with a buff eyebrow.

Juvenile

Younger red-winged blackbirds, like the females, appear streaky brown. They resemble sparrows but possess different behavior aids, darker lower belly, and a spikier bill distinguishing them from the common sparrows. With age and seasonal variations, their coloration and physical traits progress and develop into that of respective adult males and females.

Size

6.3 - 9.8 in/1.1 - 2.6 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Winged Blackbird

How to tell the Brewer’s Blackbird from the Red-Winged Blackbird

Visual differences

Brewer's Blackbirds, measuring 8-10 inches, feature glossy black males with a purplish and greenish sheen, while females are brownish-gray. Red-Winged Blackbirds, 7-9.5 inches long, have males with a distinctive red and yellow shoulder patch, and streaky brown females with a buff eyebrow. Brewer's Blackbirds have pointed bills, and Red-winged ones have a spikier bill. Brewer's juveniles resemble females but are less streaky than Red-winged juveniles, which are brown and streaky, resembling sparrows. Both species exhibit size and plumage differences for visual identification.

Key differences and behavior

Brewer's Blackbirds and Red-Winged Blackbirds exhibit key behavioral differences. Brewer's Blackbirds prefer open fields and human-altered environments, nesting in colonies with courtship involving singing and flight displays. They act as pest controllers, mainly eating insects and seeds. Conversely, Red-Winged Blackbirds thrive in marshy areas, fiercely defending territories with prominent display of red shoulder patches. They often have multiple mates and build nests in wetland vegetation. Their diet is similar, but Red-Winged Blackbirds are more territorial, even attacking larger animals. Brewer's Blackbirds adapt well to urban areas, while Red-Winged Blackbirds favor dense, natural marsh habitats.

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