• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

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Red-winged Blackbird

(Agelaius phoeniceus)
 
Red-winged Blackbird
A Red-winged Blackbird sits in a willow near Mountain Lake.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Natural History: The Red-winged Blackbird eats seeds and grains that grow in wetland areas. It roosts in moist open habitats and nests in dense emergent wetlands above ground or on the ground. Breeding season runs from March to late July.

General Distribution: In the Presidio, this species is found in marsh, stream, annual grassland, and willow forest areas, where it also breeds.

Frequency: This species is common throughout the year.

Identifying Characteristics: The male of this species is black with red shoulders. The female is brown and stripped below.

Presidio Birds main page

Did You Know?

U.S. Army major rank insignia

In 1915, a tragic fire at the Presidio claimed the lives of General Pershing’s wife and his three daughters. Pershing's son, Francis Warren, survived the blaze and chose to enlist in the army as a private during World War II. By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of major.