agelaius phoeniceus

Title: A Detailed Profile of Agelaius Phoeniceus

1. Bird Name
The English name for Agelaius phoeniceus is the Red-winged Blackbird.

2. Appearance
Red-winged blackbirds are a study in sleek, striking contrasts. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are strikingly black with bright red to yellow shoulder patches, also referred to as ‘epaulets’, which are particularly visible when flown. Females and juveniles, on the other hand, are a cryptic dark brown and heavily streaked, appearing more sparrow-like. Their beaks are pointed, eyes are dark, and they possess smooth, plate-like feathers.

3. Size
Red-winged Blackbirds are relatively small but can be surprisingly large if seen close up. They measure 17-23 cm in length and they possess broad wings, seen when the birds are flying, the wingspan ranges from 31-40 cm. Males and females are dimorphic: males weigh between 61-91 grams and females are significantly lighter at 37-56 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Red-winged Blackbird is endemic to North and Central America, extending from Alaska and Newfoundland to Costa Rica. It is a regular inhabitant of wetlands, marshes, and swamps. However, it is highly adaptable and can be found in dry upland areas as long as pond or stream is nearby.

5. Interesting Facts
The fascinating Red-winged Blackbird is one of the most studied bird species, due to its complex relationship behavior and loud song. A male can have as many as 15 different mates during a breeding season. It is also notable for its great “mobbing” behavior, where a group of red-winged blackbirds band together and dive-bombing potential predators, including humans who encroach on their territories.

6. Diet
Red-winged blackbirds are omnivorous. Their diet consists primarily of insects (such as beetles, caterpillars, and grubs) and seeds (like corn, wheat, sunflower). But occasionally they also feed on small fruits and even tadpoles or small fish.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Red-winged Blackbird is known for its territorial nature, they display aggressive behavior towards potential predators and are highly protective of their nests. They also congregate in large flocks or “roosts” outside of the breeding season. Their call is territorial and is described as a loud, gurgling conk-la-ree – a showy song that’s hard to ignore.

8. Conservation Status
The Red-winged Blackbird is rated as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List, which means, despite large yearly fluctuations, there are an estimated 190 million individuals.

9. Lifespan
Red-winged Blackbirds live for an average of 2 years in the wild, although some individuals have lived up to 15 years, which is an exception to the norm.

10. Additional Notes
In some Native American cultures, the Red-winged Blackbird is seen as a symbol of change, signifying the transition from old to new. This species is known to be polygynous; one male often has several female mates—up to 15 in some cases. Lastly, these birds play a crucial role in the ecosystem as they help control insect populations.