Red-Wings Over Texas

Agelaius phoeniceus

The Red-Winged Blackbird ranges year round over most of the lower 48 states in the USA, but in summer they can breed as far north as northern Canada and even Alaska. These birds are believed to be the most numerous birds in North America, as well as the most studied. Male birds can have as many as fifteen mates in a season, and will vigorously defend their territory. Wintering flocks of a million birds have been reported.

The Red-Winged Blackbirds I met in mid-March at Aransas NWR were all girls, and no boys insight. I’d forgotten the sexes split into separate groups in winter (bachelors and bachelorettes) until breeding time comes around. By mid-April, when I was in south Texas I started seeing both sexes loosely associated.

This gallery set displays images of the Texan birds I met this spring. To view all 44 images in my collection, visit the <Species Gallery>.