Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

These crimson-shouldered residents of marshes, wet meadows and weedy roadside ditches are well known by most rural Missourians. The Red-winged Blackbird's "konk-a-ree" song likely emanates from every pond in Missouri. It is fascinating to watch males display their colorful shoulders and defend their marsh nesting territories. Assembled spring and late summer flocks may number in the hundreds or thousands of birds. Night roosts may occasionally reach into the millions. At 190 million birds in a winter estimate, this species likely was the most abundant bird species in North America (Nero, 1984, in Yasukawa and Searcy 1995).

Code Frequency

Red-winged Blackbirds were plentiful and easily detected. This species was recorded in 98 percent of blocks (1,185), ranking it fifth among breeding species in block frequency. An amazing 68 percent of records were confirmed. Where Atlasers did not record this species, they were likely absent. In blocks where they were not confirmed to breed there were likely few birds, thus offering Atlasers few opportunities to find a nest.

Distribution

This species was distributed statewide. With such a solidly-distributed species, certain features such as Truman and Table Rock lakes created distribution gaps, as did the larger forests in Wayne, Reynolds and Shannon counties. Although appropriate habitat does occur in the Ozark and Ozark Border natural divisions, most sites are small and patchily distributed, and could easily be overlooked.

Average Number of Birds / 100 stops

Abundance

Phenology

Red-winged Blackbirds were on nests by April 17 and were feeding fledglings by May 13. This two- and three-brooded species continued nesting through early August as demonstrated by late dates for food being carried to young, nest with Eggs: and nest with young. Some nesting likely continued well after these dates. However, with less Atlasing conducted in August, late season breeding activity was likely under represented.

Notes

Atlasers reported Brown-headed Cowbird Eggs: and young fledgling cowbirds being raised by Red-winged Blackbirds in 25 blocks. This is 7.3 percent of the 344 blocks in which Atlasers observed red-wing clutches or young being fed. These blackbirds are considered frequent cowbird hosts by Ehrlich et al. (1988).

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 1,182 (97.9%) of 1,207 blocks

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