The red wing blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, sports distinctive red shoulder patches with a pale yellow wingbar below each epalulet.
Its distinctive characteristic coloring and its frequent association with healthy aquatic environments make this bird a welcome addition to any natural setting and a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts.
While calls are described as a single short “check”: chuck, chat, chit, chip, or chat, the red-wing blackbird song has been characterized similarly as: “konk la ree,” “conk la lee,” “conk a ree” (Thoreau) or “o ka lee” (Emerson), “Kong quer ree,” Gl oogl eee,” and “Gug lug geee.” Matthews (1904) notes that all descriptions agree on two points: three syllables and a repetition of the vowel e in the last syllable. Matthews represents the steady rhythm as Gug’ lug’ gee-e-e-e-e-e-e, with the e indicating a sustained tone. Although the written song is relatively plain (See below) with little accuracy of pitch (sometimes pardonably flat and sometime distressingly sharp!), Matthews describes the sound as “gurgling” like a brook: a welcome and joyous announcement that spring is at hand.
Avian Note Art 