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Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus

The nearly ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbird is an abundant migrant and one of the most common breeding songbirds in Massachusetts wetlands and moist hayfields. However, recent national abundance figures suggest a quiet decline may be occurring in this species.
Conservation Status
Continued Action/Monitoring Needed

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.51
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.50
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.01
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
n/a
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
911
Atlas II Blocks
1001
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
94
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
97
Percent change
102

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
-1.4%
P-value
significant, declining
Number of routes
27
Recent trend 2000-2010
-1.4%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
3.6
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
1.6
Significantly different than zero
no
Trend (1979-2008)
6.1
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Forested Wetland, Grassland, Open Freshwater Marsh, Saltmarsh, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Grassland, Open Freshwater Marsh, Urban and Suburban

Climate Suitability Current and 2050