WhenToBird

6 blackbird species in New York

When Do Grackles and blackbirds Arrive in New York?

Adult male Red-winged Blackbird
Photo: infiniteuniverse, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds are the grackles and blackbirds you are most likely to see in New York. Red-winged Blackbirds reach New York in early February, are common by late February, peak in early May (63% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 1-7early February
Common byFeb 22-28late February
PeakMay 1-7early May
Most gone byAug 8-14the second week of August

Best: early May. First arrivals early February; most are gone by the second week of August. Peak: on about 63% of New York checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grackles and blackbirds in New York, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Red-winged BlackbirdFeb 1-7Feb 22-28May 1-7Aug 8-1463%
Common GrackleFeb 8-14Mar 1-7May 8-14Sep 8-1449%
Brown-headed CowbirdFeb 15-21Mar 22-31Apr 22-30Jul 8-1426%
BobolinkMay 1-7May 1-7Jun 8-14Sep 8-146.5%
Rusty BlackbirdFeb 22-28Feb 22-28Apr 15-21May 8-144.0%
Eastern MeadowlarkMar 8-14Mar 8-14Jun 8-14Aug 1-73.0%
0%20%40%60%80%Red-winged BlackbirdCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdBobolinkJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Bobolink
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New York that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in New York

Best counties for Red-winged Blackbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Genesee CountyBest the second week of June · 419 checklists that week, 17,726 in all83%
  2. Seneca CountyBest early June · 938 checklists that week, 47,387 in all79%
  3. Washington CountyBest early May · 417 checklists that week, 15,060 in all77%
  4. Columbia CountyBest late April · 996 checklists that week, 28,454 in all76%
  5. Wayne CountyBest early May · 1369 checklists that week, 37,738 in all74%
  6. Montgomery CountyBest early May · 492 checklists that week, 17,048 in all74%

Common questions

When do grackles and blackbirds arrive in New York?
Red-winged Blackbirds reach New York in early February, are common by late February, peak in early May (63% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.
When do grackles and blackbirds leave New York?
Most Red-winged Blackbirds have left New York by the second week of August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of December.
When is the best time to see grackles and blackbirds in New York?
The Red-winged Blackbird is reported most often in early May, on about 63% of New York checklists.
Which grackles and blackbirds are in New York?
Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird, and Eastern Meadowlark are reported regularly; the Red-winged Blackbird is the most common.