Red-shouldered Blackbird
Agelaius assimilis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyIcteridae (Ictèrids)
- GenusAgelaius (Agelaius Blackbirds)
- SpeciesAgelaius assimilis (Red-shouldered Blackbird)
The red-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius assimilis), known in Cuban Spanish as mayito de la ciénaga (swamp mayito) or sargento cubano (Cuban sergeant) and turpial de hombros rojos (red-shouldered troupial), is a species of passerine bird in the family Icteridae endemic to Cuba. It is similar to other species in the genus Agelaius, but recent research has established it as a separate species from the closely related red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). The males are very similar to those of the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), while the females are completely black, similar to the males but without the red and yellow stripes on the wings. In addition to having a different behavior, the sexual dimorphism in size and color of the plumage of the red-shouldered blackbird is less than that of the red-winged blackbird. It is found only in the wetlands of the island of Cuba. Although its reduced range covers only 4,100 square kilometres (1,600 sq mi), it has been classified as species of least concern. Wikipedia →
10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Red-shouldered Blackbird sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 310 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Ciénaga de Zapata
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
Agelaius humeralis
Greater Antillean Grackle
Quiscalus niger
Cuban Blackbird
Dives atroviolaceus
Hispaniolan Oriole
Icterus dominicensis
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Red-legged Thrush
Turdus plumbeus
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum
Cuban Pewee
Contopus caribaeus
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciénaga de Zapata | 🇨🇺 Cuba |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Red-shouldered Blackbird in Ciénaga de Zapata?
About 19% of wildlife watchers report a Red-shouldered Blackbird sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 310 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Red-shouldered Blackbird in Ciénaga de Zapata?
March has the highest sighting rate for Red-shouldered Blackbird in Ciénaga de Zapata in our monthly data.