Rusty Blackbird

Credit: Ted Krug

Euphagus carolinus

Please note: Seventy percent of the rusty blackbird breeding range is located in Canada. There has been a decline of approximately 10% of the population over the past 40 years.

Description

• 23 cm in size, this bird is mostly black outside of breeding season. The upper body feathers have rust coloured edges.
• Yellow eyes and the bill is shorter than head.
• Long narrow wings.
• Adult males’ feathers have blue-green sheen while the similarly sized females have more slate coloured sheen.

Food

• Prefers a mixture of forest and wetland habitat, typical of the boreal forest.

Habits and Reproduction

• Lives to 9 years of age.
• Short distance migrant, it winters in the US Midwest and the east coast, and returns late April.
• Feeds on insects and seeds, e.g. grasshoppers, pine seeds, but will eat other birds in times of scarce food.
• Build bulky nests of twigs in conifers or shrubs within 2 m of the ground, usually in beaver ponds or meadows.
• Average clutch is 4 eggs.
• Monogamous, they live in loose colonies during the breeding season.

Threats

• Loss of habitat particularly in wintering grounds.

Conservation Actions

• Report your sightings and participate in citizen science programs.

Range Map