Red-Winged Blackbirds are spread across the United States, Canada and Central America. A team of researchers from United States Department of Agriculture and a couple other fields from Canada analyzed stable-hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in feathers to further understand not only the food diet, but to also understand its molt origin. (Werner et al. 2016)

You will find them in damp area’s such as: marshes, ponds, ditches and agricultural lands for sure. The Red-Winged Blackbird is a generalist, as in they can deal with environmental changes and adapt better than some. They are able to adapt to urban environments and other forms of habitat fragmentation.   

When it isn’t breeding season, mixed flocks of blackbirds get together for foraging in agricultural crops. (Dolbeer et al. 1978) While the female is out foraging, it delays its time coming back giving off miss cues where the nest could possibly be, if being watched. Females are able to communicate with the nestlings and tell them to be quiet or that it is appropriate to be loud. The birds food diet can be tested through its feathers by testing isotope ratios, and through that it can tell if the bird was migrating. (Yasukawa et al. 2010)

Male, Call

https://www.xeno-canto.org/318816

 

Male, song

https://www.xeno-canto.org/314546

The Red-winged Blackbirds have high predation rates on nests.  The Red-wing Blackbird is also known for being loud when predators or threats are getting too close to its nest. And also is known for being aggressive at times. (Yasukawa, 1979)

Adams, H. L., Burger, L. W., & Riffell, S. (2013). Disturbance and landscape effects on avian nests in agricultural conservation buffers. The Journal of Wildlife Management,77(6), 1213-1220. doi:10.1002/jwmg.568

Buxton, V. L., Santymire, R. M., & Benson, T. J. (2018). Mixed effects of urbanization on density, nest survival, and nestling corticosterone of a generalist passerine. Ecosphere,9(12). doi:10.1002/ecs2.2517

Cartwright, L., Taylor, D., Wilson, D., & Chow-Fraser, P. (2014). Urban noise affects

song structure and daily patterns of song production in Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus). Urban Ecosystems, 17(2), 561–572. https://doi-org.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s11252-013-0318-z

Conover, R. R., Dinsmore, S. J., & Burger, L. W. (2011). Effects of conservation practices on bird nest density and survival in intensive agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,141(1-2), 126-132. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2011.02.022

Gillespie, M. K., & Dinsmore, S. J. (2014). Nest survival of Red-winged Blackbirds in agricultural areas developed for wind energy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,197, 53-59. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2014.07.012

Kopec, A. D., Bodaly, R., Lane, O. P., Evers, D. C., Leppold, A. J., & Mittelhauser, G. H. (2018). Elevated mercury in blood and feathers of breeding marsh birds along the contaminated lower Penobscot River, Maine, USA. Science of The Total Environment,634, 1563-1579. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.223

Sayler, R. D., Monda, M. J., Tabor, J. E., & Creighton, J. H. (1997). Effects of wetland

excavation on avian communities in eastern Washington. Wetlands, 17(2), 216. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eih&AN=8463476&site=ehost-live

Short, H. L. 1985. Habitat suitability index models: Red-winged blackbird. U.S. Fish

Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 82(10.95). 20 pp.

Werner, S. J., Deliberto, S. T., Pettit, S. E., & Mangan, A. M. (2014). Synergistic effect of an ultraviolet feeding cue for an avian repellent and protection of agricultural crops. Applied Animal Behaviour Science,159, 107-113. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2014.06.012

Werner, S. J., Hobson, K. A., Wilgenburg, S. L., & Fischer, J. W. (2016). Multi-Isotopic (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) Tracing of Molt Origin for Red-Winged Blackbirds Associated with Agro-Ecosystems. Plos One,11(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0165996

Whittingham, L. A., & Robertson, R. J. (1994). Food Availability, Parental Care and Male                                                 

Mating Success in Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). The Journal of Animal Ecology, 63(1), 139. doi:10.2307/5590

Yasukawa, K. (2013). Effects of age and experience on the responses of territorial and floater male Red-winged Blackbirds to models of receptive females. Journal of Field Ornithology,84(4), 377-388. doi:10.1111/jofo.12037

Yasukawa, K., Dorjath, E. J., & Morgan, S. K. (2017). Dynamics of territory acquisition in red-winged blackbirds, Agelaius phoeniceus. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology,129(3), 637-640. doi:10.22215/etd/1991-01933

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Controlled fires have been one reasonable option brought up in order to try to keep the population number up. There is too much undergrowth for them to forage and nest. A practiced controlled burn to certain areas of their habitat could benefit their numbers and ecosystem at certain times of the year. (Adams et al.2013)

Micah Needham, Program- Birds: Inside and Out, Winter Quarter Project