The Howland Picture Pages: Rusty Blackbird

Page by Royce
Last update: $Date: 2004/10/23 18:56:50 $ (UTC)

The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is normal-sized blackbird somewhat similar to the Brewer's Blackbird, and related to grackles such as the Common Grackle. These species will flock together, but typically prefer somewhat different habitats. The Rusty Blackbird often can be found in swampy areas or woods near water.

We normally see the Rusty Blackbird in our area around Calgary during migration, since we are a bit south of its normal summer range. Rusties are easiest to distinguish from Brewer's when in their non-breeding colors. At this time the rusty plumage including supercilium, and contrasting dark eye-patch are key markers of a Rusty Blackbird. When in breeding colors, the two species are a lot more difficult to tell apart visually, but male Brewer's are more glossy in appearance while the female Brewer's usually has a dark eye.

Resources where you can find out more:

• Rusty Blackbird profile at weaselhead.org
• Rusty Blackbird profile at the USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter

Here is a Rusty Blackbird seen mixed in with a flock of Common Grackles on October 15, 2004. At the time I took the photo, one of several I was shooting of individuals in the flock of 40 or more birds, I didn't actually realize I had something other than a grackle in the camera view finder. This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 10D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens, hand-held. EXIF 2.2 photo info:   320 x 334 true color Shutter speed: 1/800.00 F-stop: 8.0 ISO speed: 800 Focal length: 400.0000 Exposure mode: Auto White balance: Auto Exposure bias: 0.0000 Canon focus mode: One-shot Canon contrast: Normal Canon saturation: 2 Canon sharpness: 2 Canon metering mode: Partial Canon exposure mode: Av-priority Camera make: Canon Camera model: Canon EOS 10D

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