Watercolor portrait of Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus
Abundant Conk-la-ree

Learn to identify the Red-winged Blackbird by ear. Master the "konk-la-ree" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“conk-la-ree!”

What the Red-winged Blackbird sounds like

A familiar wetland bird. Adult males are black with bright red shoulder patches edged in yellow. In a perched male, you often see a red-orange epaulet on the wing, especially when he spreads his wings to sing. Females are heavily streaked brown, looking somewhat like a large sparrow, with a whitish eyebrow and often a warm orange wash on the throat. Males are polygynous and highly territorial in breeding season, singing from cattails or fences around marshes. Red-winged Blackbirds are commonly seen in huge flocks outside the breeding season, mixing with other blackbirds and starlings in fields. They are one of North America's most abundant native birds.

“konk-la-ree”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:The male's breeding song is a gurgling, rollicking "konk-la-ree!" or "o-ka-leee!" sound. It starts with a sharp note, slides into a musical trill and ends with a rolling trill. Males often fluff up their body and spread wings slightly to display the red epaulets when they sing. This song is commonly heard in spring and summer near wetlands. Often written as “conk-la-ree!”.
Don't confuse with:The Tricolored Blackbird — occurs in california primarily. males look very similar but have a white (not yellow) border below the red shoulder patch.

Lessons featuring the Red-winged Blackbird

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Red-winged Blackbird's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Blackbird Noise Department lesson habitat
Blackbird Noise Department
Tier 3 · Family Reunion
Blackbird Karaoke Night lesson habitat
Blackbird Karaoke Night
Tier 10 · Going Deeper
Start Learning Free

Where you'll hear it

Widespread and partially migratory. Populations in the northern US and Canada migrate south for winter, while those in the southern US and Pacific Coast are largely resident year-round. Year-round presence in most of the continental US (except perhaps the coldest parts of the interior in winter). Winter concentrations occur in the South, where blackbirds from all over the Northeast and Midwest gather. Essentially, present across North America in summer (even into central Canada), and retreats from Canada and the northernmost states in winter but still abundant in mid-latitude and southern states year-round.

Marshes, wetlands, and also dry fields and meadows (particularly in non-breeding season). Breeds in fresh and brackish marshes, reedy ditches, wet meadows, and pond edges—anywhere with dense, tall vegetation (cattails, reeds, sedges) to conceal nests. Also uses upland fields, pastures, and rice fields. In migration and winter, often forages in agricultural fields, feedlots, prairies, and along roadsides, then roosts in wetlands or trees by the thousands.

One of the earliest spring migrants—males often arrive on breeding marshes as early as February in temperate areas, with females following later. Breeding occurs from early spring through summer; males aggressively defend territories, displaying their red shoulders and singing frequently. By late summer, they begin to flock up. In fall, massive roosts form (mixed with other blackbirds and grackles) which can number in the millions. They spend fall and winter in these nomadic flocks, feeding in fields by day and roosting in marshes or woodlands at night. Come late winter, males begin peeling off to head north, heralding the start of spring migration in February/March.

Similar species

Tricolored Blackbird

Occurs in California primarily. Males look very similar but have a white (not yellow) border below the red shoulder patch.

Brewer's Blackbird

Male Brewer's are completely glossy black with bright white eyes and no shoulder color at all.

Red-winged Blackbird song FAQ

What does a Red-winged Blackbird sound like?
The male's breeding song is a gurgling, rollicking "konk-la-ree!" or "o-ka-leee!" sound. It starts with a sharp note, slides into a musical trill and ends with a rolling trill. Males often fluff up their body and spread wings slightly to display the red epaulets when they sing. This song is commonly heard in spring and summer near wetlands. Listen for the "konk-la-ree" phrase.
How do I tell a Red-winged Blackbird from a Tricolored Blackbird by sound?
Tricolored Blackbird: Occurs in California primarily. Males look very similar but have a white (not yellow) border below the red shoulder patch.; Females are more uniformly dark charcoal-gray with lighter speckling, not distinctly streaky like female Red-winged.; Habitat overlaps in CA marshes, so check the epaulet color: Tricolored = red and white, Red-winged = red and yellow..
When is the best time to hear a Red-winged Blackbird?
One of the earliest spring migrants—males often arrive on breeding marshes as early as February in temperate areas, with females following later. Breeding occurs from early spring through summer; males aggressively defend territories, displaying their red shoulders and singing frequently. By late summer, they begin to flock up. In fall, massive roosts form (mixed with other blackbirds and grackles) which can number in the millions. They spend fall and winter in these nomadic flocks, feeding in fields by day and roosting in marshes or woodlands at night. Come late winter, males begin peeling off to head north, heralding the start of spring migration in February/March.