Red-Winged Blackbird vs Tricolored 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

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Tricolored Blackbird

Agelaius tricolor

How to recognise a tricoloured blackbird?

General appearance

The tricolored blackbird is similar in appearance to the Red-winged Blackbird, but it differs in color and size. It measures 7 1/2-9 inches (19-23 cm) in length, about the size of a Robin. Its coloration includes hues of black, brown, red and white. Its wing shape is broad and pointed while its tail is rounded yet square-tipped.

Male vs female

Males feature a deeper red shoulder patch, surrounded by a white border. This is a contrast to the yellow border found on male Red-wings, although fading in the late summer can cause it to appear white. Females and young tricolored blackbirds look very similar to some female Red-wings but are typically darker, and their streaking is mostly obscure. Unlike the Red-winged Blackbird, they never exhibit buff or rusty edgings on their back.

Juvenile

The juveniles are almost identical in appearance to the females, making them difficult to differentiate. They too have a dark coloration which is inconspicuous streaking in their feathers. However, they do not display the buff or rusty edges often seen on Red-winged Blackbird females or juveniles.

Size

7.1 - 9.4 in/1.3 - 2.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Tricolored Blackbird breeds mainly in large, freshwater marshes with dense stands of cattails or bulrushes.

Additional range

In all seasons, it forages in open space habitats such as farm fields, pastures, cattle pens, and large lawns.

Range Map

What do tricolored blackbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The tricolored blackbird primarily feeds on insects and seeds. During the summer, it consumes a variety of insects such as caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders. In the fall and winter, the diet shifts more towards seeds, including those from grasses and weeds, as well as waste grain.

Bird feeders

Tricolored blackbirds are not common visitors to bird feeders. However, if they do visit, they may consume offerings like sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or suet, which mimic the seeds and grains found in their natural diet.

What does a tricoloured blackbird sound like?

The tricolored blackbird's calls are somewhat akin to those of the Red-wing, featuring an array of buzzes, chatters, chirps or chips, and trills. However, the tricolored blackbird's song has a distinctive nasal quality, making it less melodic compared to the Red-wing. Its calls are typically delivered in a rising pattern, contributing a unique auditory profile to this species.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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