{"id":4277,"date":"2020-11-19T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=4277"},"modified":"2020-11-20T04:16:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T04:16:23","slug":"the-red-winged-blackbird-competition-camaraderie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2020\/11\/19\/the-red-winged-blackbird-competition-camaraderie\/","title":{"rendered":"The Red-Winged Blackbird: Competition & Camaraderie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo by Joshua J. Cotten<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PART I: Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Easily recognizable and found in great abundance, the Red-Winged Blackbird<\/strong> is the most widely-known of the 5 blackbird subspecies in North America. Flying in flocks of up to the millions and flashing their bright red epaulettes, the feisty Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)<\/strong> <\/em>is a beautiful bird to behold and is even more fascinating below the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description and Identification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, Red-Winged Blackbirds are easily identifiable by their brightly coloured epaulettes (shoulders). This feature is only present however in breeding males of the species, used to threaten competition and attract the attention of their brunette female counterparts. Non-breeding males lack completed red patches and instead sport a black, almost scaly look in colouration. (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the red shoulders of the Red-winged Blackbird are recognized as a staple trait, males may often be confused with the Tricoloured Blackbird, a similar but more localized subspecies of Blackbird. The main indicator that the bird seen is truly a Red-winged, is the yellow band below the epaulette, while the band appears white in their subspecies cousin. These two species can often be seen flocking together on the west coast of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Female Red-wing Blackbirds are streaky in colour, with a yellow hue around their beaks. Females are found to be slightly smaller than males, with the species ranging between 32 to 72 grams in weight, and 17 to 23 centimetres in length. (Griff & McIntyre, 2009)<\/a> However, the size and proportions can vary between different subspecies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photos by Joshua J. Cotten<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> (Top Left & Right), Scott Martin<\/a> (Bottom Left) and Dan Murph<\/a>y (Bottom Right) on Cornell Lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Red-winged Blackbirds have slender, conical beaks which they use to collect seeds and hunt insects from the marshland they inhabit. They have a stocky build and a wingspan of 31 to 40 centimetres. Belonging to the Order Passeriformes<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0and like many of the songbirds, the Red-winged blackbird has Anisodactyl Feet, with three digits in front and one in the back. This model of feet is designed to perch on reeds and twigs, as well as allows them to run or bounce across open fields, which is very beneficial to ground foragers such as the Red-wing. They even have the ability to hop backwards while foraging which is referred to as \u00a0\u201cdouble scratch\u201d. (Griff & McIntyre, 2009)<\/a> Red-winged Blackbird eggs are typically blue-green and covered in dark spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by  Lorraine Eldrod on Cornell Lab, Nest Watch<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many people will recognize a Red-winged Blackbird song without realizing what bird it comes from. An everyday background trill, the song of a male consists of several introductory notes followed by a harsh “kon-ka-reeee”<\/strong><\/em>. There is also a common “Chek”<\/strong><\/em> call that is used to communicate flight to nearby birds. Lastly, the Red-winged Blackbird is able to make an alarm call that is a single high pitched note, trailing slightly down in pitch. It will use this to alert other blackbirds of the presence of nearby predators. (Sibley, 2016)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adult, Male Red-winged Blackbird Song (McPherson)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Adult Red-Wing Blackbird “Chek” Call (Elliot)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Adult, Red-Winged Blackbird “Chek” and Alarm Call (St-Michel)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Distribution, Habitat and Nesting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Red-Winged Blackbird Range Map by Birds of the World<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Red-winged Blackbird can be found throughout North America over the course of a year. They predominantly inhabit the United States year-round but make their way northbound for the warmer breeding season. Their migration is known to be one of the first signs of spring in Canada.\u00a0Red-winged Blackbirds spend the breeding season in wetlands but fresh and saltwater. They are also known to inhabit hayfields, meadows and even wooded areas along waterways. In fall and winter, they congregate in millions, with similar species, in agricultural fields, and grasslands. The factors behind their chosen habitat include the abundance of nesting materials, food sources, and even the types of birds that live in the neighbourhood. (Griff & McIntyre, 2009)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact: Red-winged blackbirds travel as many as 800 miles south for the winter!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by panax<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Red-winged Blackbirds build their nests low, near the ground or water surface among the dense vegetation. The nest consists of varying weaved plant material, filled with wet leaves and decaying wood. Next, the nest is plastered with mud and then finally lined with fine, dry grass. When the nest is complete, it measures approximately 4 to 7 inches across and 3 to 7 inches deep. This nest is simple but durable and effective, being adaptable to whatever resources are at hand. (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behaviour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Red-winged Blackbird is a highly polygynous species, with up to 15 female partners at a time, though on average this is closer to around 5 partners per male. During the breeding season, males are extremely aggressive and territorial, even known to attack larger animals such as people and horses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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