There are over 10,000 species of birds in the world, and they are broken down into 23 orders. Red-winged Blackbirds are Passerine birds which are a part of the Passeriformes order. This order includes more than half of all bird species, roughly 60%.

Passerines are sometimes referred to as songbirds or more accurately perching birds. These birds have a foot structure that sets them apart from other orders. Their foot has three forward facing toes and one backward facing toe that often curves forward. The foot is designed to automatically grip and lock through a unique combination of muscles and tendons that cause the foot to latch on to a perch. That way they can roost and sleep in trees without falling.