rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 8 inches

• Sharply-pointed bill

• Pale eye

• Often found in wet wooded areas

Male:

• Entirely black plumage in spring and summer

• Variable amount of brown feather edges in fall and winter often with           pale supercilium and malar streak

Female:

• Breeding plumage similar to male but grayer

• Winter plumage similar to male's

Similar species:

Male rusty blackbird similar to male Brewer's blackbird but lacks
purple iridescence. Female brewer's blackbird has a dark eye. Grackles
are larger with much longer tails. Cowbirds are smaller with more
conical bills.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-5
Length of Incubation: 14 days
Days to Fledge: 11-13?
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Mostly aquatic invertebrates; lesser quantities of seeds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

Back to Inventory of Bird Families and Species