Red-Winged Blackbirds Report your First Red-Winged Blackbird to Journey North Each spring, just as northern marshes are thawing, red-winged blackbirds return to their nesting grounds. Within moments of their arrival, males display their red wing patches and sing their territorial songs. The females won't appear until about 2 weeks after the males, but you'll know when they've arrived: Watch for the males' territorial displays to intensify. (Females look completely different from males--more like large sparrows.) Help Track Red-Winged Blackbird Migration Song of the Red-winged Blackbird Wait for download; 130 K file. Recording Courtesy of Lang Elliott Listen to the song of the Red-winged blackbird. Listen over and over so you'll be sure to recognize it next spring. As soon as you see (or hear!) your first Red-winged blackbird of the spring, report your observations to Journey North. When the blackbirds arrive, try these field observations you can do with red-winged blackbirds. Red-winged Blackbirds on the Wintering Grounds? If you see red-winged blackbirds overwintering in your region, please report your observation now. Red-winged blackbirds spend winter in the southern U.S. states. Watch for Signs of Spring Your sightings of first red-winged blackbirds--as well as frogs, earthworms, emerging leaves, flowing sap, melting ice and other spring events--will to be incorporated into Monday's "Signs of Spring" updates. Twice each month, Journey North will post news about various Signs of Spring--including the arrival of red-winged blackbirds. Signs of Spring will be posted on: MONDAYS Jan. 31, Feb. 14, 28, Mar. 13, 27, Apr. 10, 24, May 8, and 22 Copyright 2000 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form