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Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Bird · family Icteridae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
50 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
14 years[4]

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a songbird in the family Icteridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide, and it is native in 50 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Red-winged Blackbird a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a United States rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe estimates more than 1,000,000 adults, and its notes say the species is still declining, though the rate of decline is not well known[9][10].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Red-winged Blackbird lives

NatureServe lists the Red-winged Blackbird as native in 50 US states and territories, from Alaska and Washington to Florida and Maine, and including the District of Columbia[3]. State ranks are mostly Secure, but the ranks differ by state, and some states, such as California and Oklahoma, have no state rank[11]. This is where NatureServe records the bird, not a promise that you will see it there[3].

Alaska: native, state rank S4BAKMaine: native, state rank S4B,S4NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S5BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5BNHWashington: native, state rank S5B,S5NWAIdaho: native, state rank S5IDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S4NVWyoming: native, state rank S5BWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S5IAIndiana: native, state rank S4INOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S5B,S5NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S5BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S5UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank S5MOKentucky: native, state rank S5B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4N,S5BWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: native, state rank S3AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5B,S5NNMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S5B,S5NARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3B,S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S5B,S5NMSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
AlaskaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaS3Vulnerable
ArkansasS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoS5Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4Apparently Secure
IowaS5Secure
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS5B,S4NSecure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS5Secure
MaineS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MississippiS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MissouriS5Secure
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS5Secure
NevadaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS5BSecure (breeding)
New JerseyS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5BSecure (breeding)
UtahS5Secure
VermontS5BSecure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS4N,S5BApparently Secure (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS5BSecure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this bird, including herbaceous wetland, scrub-shrub wetland, forested wetland, riparian areas, grassland, shrubland, cropland and hedgerow, and suburban areas or orchards[12]. It lives in freshwater and brackish marshes, in bushes and small trees along watercourses, and in farm fields[13]. During migration and winter it also uses plowed fields, pastures and prairies[13]. Nests are usually near water, in cattails, rushes or sedges, and sometimes in shrubs or trees[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Red-winged Blackbird is about 22 cm (9 in) long[14]. It weighs about 64 g[15]. NatureServe lists adults as eating invertebrates and grains or seeds[16]. Its notes say about 73% of the diet is plant matter and 27% is animal matter, with more animal food during breeding[17]. It eats insects such as beetles and moths, along with grubs, mollusks and some fruit[17]. Clutch size is usually 3 to 5, and the female incubates for 11 to 12 days[18]. The longest recorded lifespan in AnAge is 20 years, and the oldest known wild bird in banding records was at least 14 years 11 months old[19][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[14] 22 cm (9 in)
Typical adult weight[15] 64 g (2.3 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[19] 20 years
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 14 years 11 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 3.5
Gestation or incubation[21] 12 days
Female maturity[22] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[16] Invertivore, Granivore
Migration[23] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[24]

  • 50% seeds
  • 50% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Red-winged Blackbird is active during the day[25]. NatureServe describes its movement as non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, depending on the population[23]. In winter, birds pull out of the northern breeding areas, and they usually come back in February to March[26]. Nesting usually begins in April to May and can continue into July[18]. On GBIF, most records fall in March, April and May, which reflects when people look and report[27].

January: 652,062 recordsJanFebruary: 1,013,373 recordsFebMarch: 2,041,090 recordsMarApril: 3,120,623 recordsAprMay: 3,726,334 recordsMayJune: 1,974,935 recordsJunJuly: 1,298,197 recordsJulAugust: 655,165 recordsAugSeptember: 542,745 recordsSepOctober: 864,037 recordsOctNovember: 621,258 recordsNovDecember: 501,472 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January652,062
February1,013,373
March2,041,090
April3,120,623
May3,726,334
June1,974,935
July1,298,197
August655,165
September542,745
October864,037
November621,258
December501,472

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Red-winged Blackbird as present in 238 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 214 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, California, Ohio, Texas, Michigan[29]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Red-winged Blackbird endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the Red-winged Blackbird live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 50 US states and territories[3]. It uses marshes, wet areas along watercourses and farm fields[13].
What does the Red-winged Blackbird eat?
About 73% of its diet is plant matter and 27% is animal matter, according to NatureServe notes[17]. It eats grain, seeds, insects and some fruit[17].
How big is a Red-winged Blackbird?
NatureServe records a typical length of 22 cm (9 in)[14]. The typical weight is 64 g[15].
How long does a Red-winged Blackbird live?
The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 14 years 11 months old[4]. The longest recorded lifespan in AnAge is 20 years[19].

Facts and sources

  1. Red-winged Blackbird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Red-winged Blackbird: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Red-winged Blackbird as native in 50 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Red-winged Blackbird from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 14 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a bird in the family Icteridae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Red-winged Blackbird is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on trend for Red-winged Blackbird. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Red-winged Blackbird (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Red-winged Blackbird: Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Herbaceous wetland, Scrub-shrub wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Red-winged Blackbird. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 22 cm (9 in). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 64 g (2.3 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Granivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Red-winged Blackbird. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Red-winged Blackbird. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 20 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3.5. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 12 days. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. NatureServe migration category for Red-winged Blackbird: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 50% seeds, 50% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Red-winged Blackbird. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Red-winged Blackbird in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Red-winged Blackbird as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  29. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Red-winged Blackbird: New York, California, Ohio, Texas, Michigan. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.