Red-winged Blackbirds in Iowa
When red-winged blackbirds are present in Iowa, when they nest, which native Iowa plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–6a yard.
- Status in Iowa
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–6a
When to expect red-winged blackbirds in Iowa
Red-winged Blackbirds are summer residents in Iowa, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on dragonflies, beetles and caterpillars.
Humid continental prairie state, with loess hills in the west and the Driftless Area in the northeast.
Nesting in Iowa
Across Iowa, red-winged blackbirds typically nest from April–July. Nest site: woven cup lashed to cattails or shrubs over water. Females lay 2–4 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 11–14 days.
Hot, humid summers with thunderstorms.
- Red-winged Blackbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, white oak, bur oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Iowa plants that attract red-winged blackbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Iowa, these 8 provide food or cover red-winged blackbirds use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.
Feeding red-winged blackbirds through the Iowa year
One of the earliest spring returns in the north; males arrive weeks before females to claim marsh territories.
- Best foods: Cracked corn, Millet, Sunflower.
- In Iowa's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for red-winged blackbirds · Best feeder for red-winged blackbirds
Frequently asked
Are red-winged blackbirds in Iowa year-round?
No. Red-winged Blackbirds are summer breeders in Iowa and leave for the winter.
When do red-winged blackbirds nest in Iowa?
Nesting in Iowa typically runs April–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2–4 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract red-winged blackbirds in Iowa?
Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Spicebush, Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower are native plants in Iowa that provide food or cover for red-winged blackbirds.
Red-winged Blackbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Iowa
Sources
- Red-winged Blackbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-winged Blackbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-winged Blackbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Iowa
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.