Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Size: 7 – 9½ inches

The name for this bird comes from the bright red patches displayed by the male in nesting season. The male sings his raspy "konk-a-ree!" to attract a mate and keep other males away. This bird lives near marshes, ponds, meadows, and fields.

Food: Mostly insects, some seeds

Nest: near or over water, attached to reeds. Made of grasses, sedges, rushes.

In Marin: year round

Young can swim before they can fly. They eat only insects. Females do not have red on wings. They are brown.

Sounds:

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