Female Red-winged Blackbirds (Identification Guide: Male vs Female)

Male red-winged blackbirds are easily identifiable by their flame-coloured shoulder spots that stand out against their sleek black bodies. Females are less visible and may initially be mistaken for sparrows or other similar brown-feathered birds. With our guide to female red-winged blackbirds, you’ll quickly become an expert at identifying the hardworking companion of one of America’s most recognizable and aggressive songbirds.

Female red-winged blackbirds are not actually black, and any red on their wings is quite muted compared to males of the species. Their mottled dark brown plumage allows them to hide well in vegetation, where they build their nests and hatch their eggs.

Red-winged blackbirds are known to be extremely aggressive, territorial, and are known for their trademark siege of any bird or animal that approaches its nest. While males are known for their vocalizations and colorful displays of dominance, we explored whether females are equally dynamic and quick to defend their turf.

In our guide to female red-winged blackbirds, we take a closer look at the differences in behavior, appearance, and nesting responsibilities between the sexes.

Close up portrait of a female red-winged blackbird

How can you tell if a red-winged blackbird is a male or a female?

When you think of the red-winged blackbird, you probably immediately think of this sleek, sooty, robin-sized bird with scarlet and yellow shoulder feathers. However, only males of the species have this distinctive plumage, while females are quite different in appearance.

female red-winged blackbird

male red-winged blackbird

What do female red-winged blackbirds look like?

Female red-winged blackbirds are somewhat indescribable and unremarkable compared to their striking black and red male mates. Male and female red-winged blackbirds have the same stocky build, but the similarities end there.

The upper body of the female red-winged blackbird is dark brown with lighter markings. They have light brown stripes on their underparts and off-white stripes around their eyes. Their bills are sharp, broad, and dark gray in color. In contrast to the black legs of the male red-winged blackbird, the legs of the female are dark brown, and the irises of both males and females are dark brown.

Older females have some pink markings on the throat, cheeks and chin. The epaulets of young females are small and vary in color from gold to pale pink; these patches become a richer, deeper red in older birds.

Close-up of a perched female red-winged blackbird

Do female red-winged blackbirds have epaulets?

Female red-winged blackbirds don’t have the same degree of bright orange-red epaulets found on male birds, but they do have smaller, similarly colored patches on their upper wings that aid in species identification.

A young female red-winged blackbird’s epaulets range in color from gold to light salmon pink. With age, this darkens into dark red patches.

What is the female red-winged blackbird’s name?

Female red-winged blackbirds are called hens, while males are called roosters.

Are female red-winged blackbirds larger than males?

Female red-winged blackbirds are slightly smaller than males of the species, measuring 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 inches) in length, compared with 22 to 24 cm (8.7 to 9.4 inches) for males.

Average and maximum body weights also vary slightly between men and women, with women weighing 29 to 41.5 grams (1.0 to 1.46 ounces) and men averaging around 64 grams (2.3 ounces) to 82 grams (2.9 ounces).

Female (left) and male (right) red-winged blackbirds perched on a branch

behavioral difference

Both male and female red-winged blackbirds are known as extremely aggressive, territorial birds that use dive-bombing techniques to ward off potential threats and predators.

Men have the ability to display their epaulets more prominently in situations where they feel threatened. Females, although lacking feathers to ward off threats, have the potential to exhibit severe aggressive and harassing behavior, especially towards other female birds during nesting season.

Female red-winged blackbirds are usually more low-key than males, camouflaging themselves in vegetation when nesting. Males perch higher on reeds and plant stems and are easier to spot and vocalize than females.

sing and call

Male red-winged blackbirds have a variety of distinctive and familiar calls. While not as extensive as males, female red-winged blackbirds do have a range of distinct vocalizations.

Female red-winged blackbirds are known for their quick scolding”chatter” call, while in both males and females the most common call is noisy”Check“Telephone, used as a communication or contact number.

A perched female red-winged blackbird

breeding

Female red-winged blackbirds breed for the first time around the age of 2, and it is not uncommon for male red-winged blackbirds to have their first successful breeding at 3 or even 4 years of age.

Red-winged blackbirds are polygamous, with males claiming breeding rights to about 5 females, and occasionally as many as 15 mates in a territory.

nesting and feeding

Female red-winged blackbirds choose nesting sites with some secondary input from males. Males may help gather nesting material, but most of the gathering is done by females, who build intricately woven nests on their own.

Incubation of eggs and incubation of newly hatched chicks is entirely the responsibility of the female red-winged blackbird, not a shared duty. However, the female relies on the male to loudly alert her to the presence of predators and threats while nesting.

After the chicks hatch, both parents share feeding responsibilities, and once the chicks have developed wings, both males and females initially support the chicks as they become more independent.

Female red-winged blackbird feeding grub to her chicks

to perch

Once the juvenile red-winged blackbirds are fully independent, they spend the night with the adult females, separated from the adult males. In late fall, before migration, habitat becomes mixed.

migrant

Although male and female red-winged blackbirds migrate in large numbers each fall and spring, they differ in their annual migration timing and habits. Females leave for wintering grounds before males in autumn and tend to cover longer migratory distances.

On their way back to the breeding grounds in the spring, the males leave a month ahead of the females, looking for suitable territory to attract a mate and establish a nesting site.

A migratory flock of red-winged blackbirds consisting mainly of females

Can female red-winged blackbirds raise offspring alone?

While hatching and brooding are solely the job of the female red-winged blackbird, the male plays an integral role in protecting the nest from predators and alerting the female to any threat.

Both birds share chick-feeding duties and continue to jointly care for the birds on the ground after eclosion, both initially in their homes and then further afield for a further 3 weeks.

In the rare event that one of the birds dies or does not return to the nest, the other bird will be able to raise the brood alone, although this is uncommon.