Comments on: Help Scientists Find Out What’s Happening to Rusty Blackbirds

By: Halane DeShane

Halane DeShane — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:04:04 +0000

I just took photo’s of a male and female Rusty Blackbird on my tray feeder , the weekend of Feb. 21st ! They stayed for quite a while and ate a lot !

By: santi souk

santi souk — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:51:36 +0000

Just just a flock of 60-70 Rusty Blackbirds in Central Alberta yesterday morning… was my first time seeing them.

I have posted the sighting on eBird this morning.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10152786427625903&set=o.142914269087072&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

Thanks,

santi

By: Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:27:13 +0000

I agree with Christian that most people assume the Rusty Blackbird is a Starling. In our area in Alberta the Starlings arrive first, the first pair I spotted was mid March, but usually disappear in later spring. The blackbirds arrive together and eat at our feeders, the Brewsters and Red-Winged arriving first then the Rusties. I have always had some Red-winged Blackbirds that stick all season with the Brewsters and you can watch their wings turn red as they mature. Due to a tendency in Alberta with farmers and towns draining sloughs they are in a fight for survival and why you see them at the feeders.

By: John Jarrosiak

John Jarrosiak — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:56:53 +0000

In reply to William. Hi William. I know that many farmers poison the black birds, however I did NOT know that our state government(s) is intentionally poisoning the red winged black bird too. Can you elaborate on this accusation please? Why is our state governments poisoning the blackbirds? Do you know what the poison is that they are using and how it is being applied (crop dusters, individual sprays,pellets, etc.)? I'm very curious and would love to bring this topic into the light! Thank you William!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:28:36 +0000

In November in Arlington Texas near an abated landfill we(a U of Dallas Ornithology class) saw 5 in a deadfall tree in the middle of the overflow pond. Only 1 male.

By: christian knatt

christian knatt — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:17:40 +0000

Looks very similar to a European Starling which if I’m not mistaken is an invasive species open to hunting/poisoning.

By: John Jarrosiak

John Jarrosiak — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 19:45:02 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Bell.

Hi Jennifer,

It is a very high probability that you are seeing Brewer’s Blackbirds. They love parking lots and eat anything from dead bugs stuck on the grills of cars to carelessly discarded french fries and other “human” foods tossed out of windows and left in lots.

By: Judith Scarl

Judith Scarl — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:36:26 +0000

In reply to Stephanie. Thanks, Stephanie! We appreciate the help in spreading the word!

By: William

William — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:24:52 +0000

Millions of Redwing Blackbirds have been deliberately poisoned by state governments. If the Rusty Blackbird flocks with them, there is your answer to the decline in their population.

By: Arthur Fish III

Arthur Fish III — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:49:20 +0000

Hi! There’s been a rusty here in Huntington Beach, California since around February. I took my photos of this beautiful bird February 6, 2014.

Unsure if photos can be posted here…if not here’s a link to the flickr photo http://flic.kr/p/jPwvGo