Tricolored blackbird
Agelaius tricolor
Identification Tips:
- Sharply-pointed bill
- Frequents marshy habitats in summer, open habitats at other times of year
- Often flocks with other species of blackbirds
Adult male:
- Bright red patch on wings bordered by white
- Black plumage
- Immature male similar to female but has red shoulder
Adult female:
- Pale supercilium
- Heavily streaked breast
- Belly dark
- Upperparts black and white
- Sometimes has yellow tinge to face and throat
- Immature female similar to adult female
Similar species:
The male Red-winged Blackbird can be told from the male Tricolored
Blackbird by its yellowish, not white, border to the red shoulder patch.
Females are quite similar but Tricoloreds typically have darker bellies.
Other species of blackbirds lack the red shoulder patch of the male and the
streaked underparts of the female.