- Red-winged blackbirds may be the most common and social bird on the continent. Over a million can congregate within a single flock.
- Red-wing blackbirds are abundant in farm fields, marshes, roadside ditches throughout the year across much of rural North America.
- Red-wing blackbirds are highly territorial and spend a great deal of time defending their territories. The birds will sometimes even swoop at people if they get too close.
- The red shoulder stripes of this bird play an important role in helping it defend its territory. Researchers who stained the stripes of birds found that over 60% lost their territory. This was compared to less than 10% of a control group.
