Non-migratory red-winged blackbirds are in the western US and
Central America. Redwings that breed in Canada and the northern
US are in the southern US, feeding on grain, putting on fat, and
starting to migrate north.
Peak male migration and territorial behavior. Females arriving
male territorial behavior. Females nesting, and first eggs are
hatching. Birds are exceptionally wary when crows or hawks fly
over nesting marshes.
Virtually all redwings on territory now,
and egg-laying and incubation are at annual peak. Many more babies
Re-nesting and rearing babies keep redwings
very busy all month.
Nesting is finishing up by early in the
month, and as parents finish baby-rearing, they are starting to
Just about all babies have fledged and
are on their own by the start of the month. This is the peak month
for molting body and flight feathers.
Birds are gathering in large feeding flocks,
putting on fat in preparation for migration and winter. Flight
and body feathers are still being molted.
Birds are feeding and migrating in huge
Peak of migration in southern states and Great Plains. Birds feed
in huge flocks.
Mostly on wintering grounds in central and southern states. Some
stragglers may remain in northern states and provinces.
Redwings are still on wintering grounds, putting on fat for the
coming spring migration.