The Red-winged Blackbird is a small blackbird with jet-black body and bright red shoulder patches edged with yellow on bottom. Preferred habitats include fresh and saltwater marshes, sedge meadows, alfalfa fields, and other croplands.

This one viewed on a cattail at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in SW Washington. Red-winged Blackbirds are probably the animal most associated with cattails. The birds are often seen perching on them. They also build their nests on them.