Wildlife Around Las Vegas, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas

Red-winged Blackbird male

General Description: Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are medium-sized songbirds, usually found around ponds and marshes or agricultural areas. Males are black with a red shoulder patch bordered below by yellow, and females are dark with heavy streaking and a distinct eyeline. Compared to other blackbirds, the tail is "normal" length.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Icteridae.

Favored Habitat: Marshes with cattails and bulrushes.

Red-winged Blackbird female

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, look for Red-winged Blackbirds in neighborhood ponds, parks (e.g., Lorenzi Park and Sunset Park), and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Look for emergent vegetation where they nest. To find them in more natural habitat, visit the Pahranagat Valley.

Comments: Red-wings nest in emergent vegetation (cattails and bulrushes) around ponds.

If you were a tasty bug or a juicy blackberry, this might be the last face you ever see!

With spread wings, showing red and yellow shoulder patch	Often, the yellow on the shoulder patch is hidden
Red-winged Blackbird male	Red-winged Blackbird male
Red-winged Blackbird female	Red-winged Blackbird female
Red-winged Blackbird female	Red-winged Blackbird female
Red-winged Blackbird males	Red-winged Blackbird males fighting over a seed feeder
Bosque del Apache NWR, NM	Bosque del Apache NWR, NM

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240126

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