is a bird that inhabits marshes, swamps, meadows and pastures throughout the United States and throughout the state of Maine. The male is easily identified by its bright red “shoulder patches.” The female and the young are streaked with brown, not at all appearing to be black birds.
Red-winged Blackbird in Newcastle (2008)
Red-winged Blackbird, Viles Arboretum, Augusta (2002)
Red-winged Blackbird in a Meadow (2005)
The male often catches the eye as he clings to reeds or tall grasses in roadside marshes and swamps. Birdwatching at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta can be a rewarding experience. See http://www.vilesarboretum.org/