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Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
The status of this species is a bit unclear over much of northern Central America. The range map in Howell and Webb includes only southern Guatemala, a small area in north-west Honduras and a single location in eastern El Salvador. In all cases they show the birds to be resident. However, they are far more widespread than this, especially in winter. In Honduras, this species is common at Lago Yojoa, Jicarito, Coyolito and Coastal Mosquitia. I have only been to the Mosquitia in winter, so I cannot comment on the status of the birds there, but at the other three sites there were Red-winged Blackbirds present in the summer months and at both south coast locations I had adults feeding juveniles. In Guatemala, I have only ever seen this species at Monterrico. In El Salvador, I have seen them at Lago de Guija, Laguna El Jocotal, Laguna Naualapa, at the Rio Jiboa and at several other locations in the coastal lowlands as I have driven past in my car. My impression is that this is a fairly common bird throughout the coastal lowlands of the country, where they are largely wintering birds, but also breed in suitable locations. Even in the fairly standard farmland near the Rio Jiboa, this is a common species that is present throughout the year, though more so in winter. I have often seen groups of birds moving either north or south on migration, so there are clearly wintering birds here as well.
Red-w B.bird El Jicarito Aug 03 (B) Red-w Blackbird El Jicarito Aug 03 Red-winged Blackbird Florida Alv M.