MALE PARENTAL CARE IN A POPULATION OF RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 1983-1988

The proportion of male Agelaius phoeniceus among populations that assist females in feeding nestlings is highly variable. The authors report observations from a 6-yr study of male redwings feeding offspring in a Washington State population, and compare findings with those from other North American regions. Nests at which males fed offspring fledged significantly more young than other nests on the same territories, but <10% of breeding males each year fed nestlings. -from Authors