Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 31 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 185 mm | 274 mm | 123 mm | 92 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 369 mm | 549 mm | 246 mm | 185 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 554 mm | 823 mm | 369 mm | 277 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 738 mm | 1,098 mm | 492 mm | 369 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 1,107 mm | 1,646 mm | 738 mm | 554 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,845 mm | 2,744 mm | 1,230 mm | 923 mm |
About the Red-winged Blackbird#
The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found in most of North America and much of Central America. It breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and Guatemala, with isolated populations in western El Salvador, northwestern Honduras, and northwestern Costa Rica. It may winter as far north as Pennsylvania and British Columbia, but northern populations are generally migratory, moving south to Mexico and the...
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Marsh blackbirds display on cattails in spring.
- Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
- Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More New World Blackbirds and Orioles#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Red-winged Blackbird?
At about 31 cm long, a red-winged blackbird fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 369 mm, or at 20 m with 738 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Red-winged Blackbird?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Red-winged Blackbird?
Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources