Red-winged Blackbird vs Song Sparrow
The check that settles it
For the female: song sparrow is far smaller with a short conical bill and a central breast spot.
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
- Size
- 22–24 cm
- Bill
- thin pointed
- Where
- marsh, open field, feeder
- Voice
- A gurgling 'conk-la-ree' ending in a trill, and a sharp 'check'.
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
- Size
- 12–17 cm
- Bill
- conical
- Where
- yard, marsh, feeder, open field
- Voice
- Three or four clear introductory notes, then a jumbled trill. Highly variable between individuals.
Confirming a red-winged blackbird
- Male: black with red-and-yellow shoulders, though the red can be hidden when not displaying.
- Female: heavily streaked dark brown, with a pale eyebrow and a long pointed bill.
- Sings from the top of a cattail or a fence post with wings spread and tail fanned.
- Almost always near water or wet ground in the breeding season.
Confirming a song sparrow
- A dark central spot where the breast streaks converge.
- Coarse streaking below, not fine.
- Broad grey eyebrow with a brown stripe above it.
- Pumps its tail in flight.