Birds of Texas

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 7.5 - 9.5 inches

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Field Marks: Male: Black, with red epaulets or shoulder patches. Often the scarlet is concealed, only the yellowish margin is then visible. Immature male: Dusky-brown, but with red shoulder patches. Female and young: Brownish; identified by the sharp-pointed bill, blackbird appearance, and well-defined black stripping below. Very gregarious.
Voice: A loud check and a high, slurred tee-err. Song is a liquid gurgling konk-la-ree or o-ka-leee.
Range: Canada to West Indies, Costa Rica. Partial migrant.
Texas: Resident throughout; breeding locally in marshes.
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, fields, streams, lakes. The nest is a woven cup fastened to reeds, grass, and bush. They lay 3-5 eggs, which are bluish and scrawled.