The tri-colored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) and the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) are two similar looking yet distinct species of blackbirds found in North America. Both belong to the family Icteridae and are medium-sized songbirds with predominantly black plumage and red or yellow wing markings. However, there are several key differences between these two species when it comes to their physical appearance, habitat, diet, breeding behavior, conservation status and more. This article will provide a detailed comparison of the tri-colored blackbird vs the red-winged blackbird to highlight how they are unique in their own ways.
Physical Appearance
The most noticeable difference between the tri-colored blackbird and red-winged blackbird is in the coloration of their plumage. As the name suggests, the tri-colored blackbird is black in color but has bright red lesser wing coverts forming a red patch on the wing and white median coverts forming a stark white stripe on the wing. The female tri-colored blackbird is similar but has brown streaks on the underparts. On the other hand, the red-winged blackbird is mostly black but the males have bright red lesser wing coverts forming a red patch outlined in yellow on the wing. Females are streaked brown below like female tri-colored blackbirds.
Some key physical differences are:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Plumage coloration | Black with red lesser wing coverts and white median coverts forming colored patches on wings | Black with red lesser wing coverts outlined in yellow |
Size | 7.1-9.8 in long with wingspan of 13.4-15.7 in | 6.7–9.1 in long with wingspan of 12.2–15.8 in |
Bill color | Blue-black | Pink, fading to gray in females |
Beak shape | Long, pointed conical bill | Short, stout conical bill |
Legs | Black | Brownish-red |
In summary, the tri-colored blackbird is slightly larger on average than the red-winged blackbird. It has a longer, more pointed bluish-black bill compared to the shorter pinkish bill of the red-wing. The tri-colored blackbird also has black legs while the red-wing has reddish-brown legs.
Habitat
The two blackbird species differ significantly when it comes to their preferred habitats and geographic ranges:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Native habitat | Freshwater marshes, wetlands and agricultural fields of California | Wetlands, prairies, meadows, agricultural fields across much of North America |
Geographic range | Year-round resident in California. Rare vagrants spotted outside the state. | Widespread across North America. Migratory in northern parts of range. |
Climate | Hot, arid climate of California | Temperate to subtropical climates |
Elevation | Up to 1100 m in foothills and highlands | 0-2100 m |
The tri-colored blackbird is endemic to California and found nowhere else except rare vagrants. The red-winged blackbird occupies a much larger range across North America in wetland habitats. The tri-colored blackbird is also more adapted to drier, hot climates compared to the red-winged blackbird.
Diet
The diets of the two blackbird species also show some differences:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Food sources | Insects, spiders, snails, berries, seeds | Insects, spiders, snails, slugs, berries, seeds, grains |
Foraging style | Forage on ground in flocks. Will sometimes feed in trees. | Forage on ground and in shallow water. Males defend territories. |
Agricultural crops consumed | Rice, alfalfa, irrigated pastures | Rice, sunflower, corn, sorghum, oats |
Damage caused to crops | Moderate damage | Considerable damage |
While both blackbirds are omnivorous, the red-winged blackbird has a more varied diet including grain crops. It causes more damage to agricultural fields. The tri-colored blackbird is less likely to damage crops since it feeds more on insects.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding ecology and nesting behaviors of tri-colored blackbirds and red-winged blackbirds also show distinct differences:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Breeding system | Colonial breeder. Nests in large colonies. | Territorial breeder. Nests in loose colonies. |
Colony size | 3,000 to 100,000+ nests | 2 to 400 nests |
Nest placement | Nests built over water among emergent vegetation | Nests in dry locations in wetlands, near water |
Nest structure | Basket-shaped nests from wetland grasses and reeds | Cup nests made from grass, twigs, mud, lined with finer grass |
Eggs | Pale blue or greenish white. Laid April to early June. | Pale blue with brown spots. Laid May to August. |
The tri-colored blackbird is a highly colonial nester, forming massive breeding colonies. The red-winged blackbird is territorial and nests in smaller loose colonies. The tri-colored blackbird builds nests over water while the red-wing nests on dry sites.
Conservation Status
Due to sharp declines in population, the tri-colored blackbird is considered a species of conservation concern. The red-winged blackbird remains widespread and common:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Population trend | Decreasing. Estimated 60% decline since 1930s. | Stable. Estimated at 82 million. |
IUCN status | Near threatened | Least concern |
Major threats | Habitat loss, degradation of wetlands, poisoning, predation | No major threats |
Habitat loss and degradation have severely impacted tri-colored blackbird numbers. Poisoning from agricultural pesticides has also killed millions since the 1990s. The red-winged blackbird remains common across its range. Targeted conservation efforts for the tri-colored blackbird are needed to prevent further declines.
Taxonomy
The two blackbirds were formerly considered closely related and placed in the same species Agelaius phoeniceus. But today they are recognized as distinct species based on differences in morphology, behavior, genetics, and range:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Scientific name | Agelaius tricolor | Agelaius phoeniceus |
Classification | Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae | Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae |
Today, the tri-colored blackbird is considered to be most closely related to the red-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius assimilis) native to South America. Genetic studies show it is only distantly related to the red-winged blackbird. The two species likely diverged between 1.5-3.5 million years ago.
Calls and Sounds
The vocalizations of tri-colored blackbirds and red-winged blackbirds are distinct and can be used to identify them:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Calls | Harsh chaotic chatter, nasal squealing sounds | Musically whistled calls, check and churr sounds |
Song | Complex, variable song with whistles, warbles, buzzes. Similar to red-winged blackbird. | Musical gurgling song with clear whistles. Conk-la-ree! |
The tri-colored blackbird has noisy, squealing calls compared to the mellower sounding red-wing. But both have musical whistled songs, often sung by males from high perches. The tri-colored blackbird song is slightly more complex than the red-wing’s familiar “conk-la-ree” song.
Behavioral Differences
Some key differences in behavior:
Feature | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
Social structure | Highly social. Form large flocks. | Form smaller flocks outside breeding season. |
Migration | Permanent resident. No seasonal migrations. | Migratory across parts of range. |
Aggression | Can be aggressive around colonies. Will mob predators. | Territorial and aggressive during breeding. |
The tri-colored blackbird is highly social and forms massive flocks outside breeding season. The red-winged blackbird is less social. Red-wings are migratory in the northern parts of range while tri-colored blackbirds are permanent residents. Both will aggressively mob predators near their nests.
Where to See Them
Here is where you can observe these two blackbird species:
Location | Tri-colored blackbird | Red-winged blackbird |
---|---|---|
California | Common resident. Found in central and southern areas. | Rare vagrant |
Northeast USA | Rare vagrant | Common breeding resident |
Midwest USA | Accidental | Abundant breeding resident |
Southwest USA | Accidental | Common winter resident |
The tri-colored blackbird can only be readily observed in California where it is common. The red-winged blackbird occupyies a much larger range across North America.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the tri-colored blackbird and red-winged blackbird may appear similar at first glance, they exhibit a number of distinct differences with respect to their physical appearance, habitats, diet, breeding ecology, conservation status and taxonomy. The tri-colored blackbird is larger, endemic to California, forms massive breeding colonies, and is declining significantly. The red-winged blackbird remains widespread and common across North America. Understanding how these two species differ allows bird enthusiasts to better identify and appreciate the diversity of blackbirds in North America. Their unique traits and behaviors are fascinating to observe in the wild.