March 15, 2014 / Leslie

Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz

Birds, Blackbirds, Migration, Photography, Photos, Rusty Blackbirds

Citizen Scientists Needed

Rusty Blackbirds are one of the most sharply declining songbirds in North America. Their population is in decline with an estimated 85 to 95 percent lost in the last half-century. Scientists are unsure why this is happening. In an effort to solve this mystery they have formed an International Rusty Blackbird Working Group. Birders can help by participating in the Spring Migration Blitz and report sighting of the elusive Rusty Blackbird on eBird.

Rusty Blackbird in Decline

The Rusty Blackbird is a relatively uncommon bird that can be found in wooded swamplands. They breed in the boreal forests of Canada and winter in the eastern US. Their migratory range is from the southern United States, through the Midwest and along the East Coast, and up into Canada. The focus of the blitz is to track Rusty Blackbirds from their wintering grounds throughout their entire migratory journey.

I’ll be taking part in the migration blitz. The few times I have seen Rusty Blackbirds it has been during migration. Several years ago I discovered a small group of them at a tiny marshy pond within walking distance of my house. They return about the same time every year and stay for a few days – a sort of rest stop on their journey home. I will be monitoring that area for the next month.

Identifying the Rusty

Rusty Blackbirds will sometimes flock with the common Red-winged Blackbird but on closer inspection, look quite different. The most striking difference is the yellow eyes of Rusty Blackbird. Also, they are a bit larger and longer-tailed and have a more slender bill. They will also flock with Grackles who have the same yellow eyes, but Grackles are a larger, glossy-black colored bird with a thicker bill.

In the photo above, the bird in the middle is a female Red-Winged Blackbird. The birds on either end are Rusty Blackbirds. Click the photo for larger image and you can see the eye color and beak size.

Facts about Rusty Blackbirds from Cornell:

Look for them in wet woodlands
Listen for their distinctive “rusty hinge” song
They may flock with Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles
They are small blackbirds with bright yellow eyes and small bills
They winter mainly in the southeastern U.S., breed mainly in Canada and Alaska.

Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. It is now hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.