Abundant just about everywhere. Breeds in marshes and wet, scrubby areas. In winter, forms large flocks, often with other blackbirds, in agricultural areas, gardens, and at feeders. Common summer sight singing on bulrush. Precariously leans forward with tail spread and wings half open, as if to show off stunning red-and-yellow wing patch. Song is whistled, ‘get-me-teeee’. ID: Stocky with head that looks too small and pointed for body. Pointed bill an extension of head shape. Medium-long tail. Ad ♂ br: jet-black with stunning red-and-yellow coverts. Ad ♂ nonbr: muted version of breeding ♂with pale fringes. Imm ♂: highly variable, most as nonbr ♂ but with rustier fringes and paler underwing coverts. Ad ♀: strikingly different from ♂ and source of much confusion for inexperienced birders. Dark brown upperparts and underparts completely streaked brown; buff face. Imm ♀: similar to ad ♀ but whiter around face; paler underwing coverts.