Red-shouldered Blackbird

Cf. Tawny-shouldered Blackbird.  Tawny-shouldered Blackbird occurs throughout Red-shouldered’s range.  Although the colors of the epaulets are usually sufficient to identify these species, the epaulets are often concealed and both have a pale lower edge that is often the only visible part.  In addition, the immature male Red-shouldered can have a brownish epaulet, thus resembling Tawny-shouldered.  Even among adults of these species, there is enough color variation to create confusion: Red-shouldered’s epaulet can sometimes appear burnt-orange, and Tawny shouldered’s can appear reddish.

Other factors that can be useful to identify ambiguous Cuban blackbirds include:

Habitat:  A strong initial indicator, as Red-shouldered rarely wanders far from marshes, whereas Tawny-shouldered is largely arboreal and favors woodland edges.  However, these preferences are not absolute, and both species are at times found in fields and trees.

Voice:  Most of Tawny-shouldered’s calls are metallic and high-pitched, whereas Red-shouldered’s common contact call is a much deeper chuck!

Female Plumage:  These are social birds that are usually encountered in flocks, so it is often possible to them based on multiple individuals.  In Tawny-shouldered, the sexes are similar, whereas the female Red-shouldered is all-black.

Bill Shape:  On average, Tawny-shouldered has a shorter bill than Red-shouldered.  This can be hard to judge in isolation, but it is useful when an otherwise dubious individual shows a long, thin bill, confirming that it is not Tawny-shouldered.