Red-winged Blackbirds in Michigan
When red-winged blackbirds are present in Michigan, when they nest, which native Michigan plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–6b yard.
- Status in Michigan
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–6b
When to expect red-winged blackbirds in Michigan
Red-winged Blackbirds are summer residents in Michigan, 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, strongly shaped by the Great Lakes; colder and snowier in the Upper Peninsula.
Nesting in Michigan
Across Michigan, 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.
A compressed nesting season; bluebirds usually manage one or two broods.
- Red-winged Blackbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern hemlock, flowering dogwood, serviceberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Michigan plants that attract red-winged blackbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Michigan, these 8 provide food or cover red-winged blackbirds use:
Seeds and dense winter shelter.
Nectar and seed.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
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.
Feeding red-winged blackbirds through the Michigan 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 Michigan'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 Michigan year-round?
No. Red-winged Blackbirds are summer breeders in Michigan and leave for the winter.
When do red-winged blackbirds nest in Michigan?
Nesting in Michigan 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 Michigan?
Eastern hemlock, Wild bergamot, Flowering dogwood, Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry are native plants in Michigan that provide food or cover for red-winged blackbirds.
Red-winged Blackbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Michigan
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 — Michigan
- 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.