Red-winged Blackbirds in Minnesota
When red-winged blackbirds are present in Minnesota, when they nest, which native Minnesota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Minnesota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
When to expect red-winged blackbirds in Minnesota
Red-winged Blackbirds are summer residents in Minnesota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on dragonflies, beetles and caterpillars.
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in Minnesota
Across Minnesota, red-winged blackbirds typically nest from May–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 short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
- Red-winged Blackbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, serviceberry, white oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Minnesota plants that attract red-winged blackbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Minnesota, these 8 provide food or cover red-winged blackbirds use:
Acorns and bark insects.
Nectar and seed.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
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.
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.
Feeding red-winged blackbirds through the Minnesota 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 Minnesota'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 Minnesota year-round?
No. Red-winged Blackbirds are summer breeders in Minnesota and leave for the winter.
When do red-winged blackbirds nest in Minnesota?
Nesting in Minnesota typically runs May–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2–4 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract red-winged blackbirds in Minnesota?
Bur oak, Wild bergamot, Serviceberry, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Spicebush, Purple coneflower are native plants in Minnesota that provide food or cover for red-winged blackbirds.
Red-winged Blackbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Minnesota
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 — Minnesota
- 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.