redwinged

Redwinged is a descriptive English term used to refer to animals that display red on their wings. In zoological and common usage it appears most often as part of a species’ or subspecies’ common name, signaling the presence of red wing coloration. The word commonly appears hyphenated as red-winged in ordinary writing, and is capitalized only when used as a proper name or at the start of a sentence.

One well-known example is the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), a medium-sized passerine native to North America. Males have conspicuous red shoulder patches called epaulettes and black plumage, while females are brown with streaks. Red-winged blackbirds favor wetlands, marshes, and tall vegetation, where they defend breeding territories. They feed on insects, seeds, and grains, and tend to form large roosts outside the breeding season. They are highly adaptable and have a wide range, making them a familiar species in many rural and suburban areas.

Beyond this species, “red-winged” is used in the common names of other birds and occasionally insects and other animals that feature red wing coloration. The term serves as a concise field descriptor rather than a taxonomic grouping, and its exact referent depends on regional naming conventions and the specific guide or database consulted.