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Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz County

This Rusty Blackbird was discovered by Matt Brown on 321 January 2013 and photographed by Alan Schmierer on 01 February 2013.

Fewer than 30 records for the state.  Populations of Rusty Blackbirds have seriously declined throughout its range due to unknown causes. 

Pale eye, thin bill and rusty edges to the feathers.  Like some other species (Snow Buntings), Rusty Blackbirds wear, rather than molt, into breeding plumage.  The rusty feather edges wear off leaving the all black breeding plumage.  Thus, the oft cited field mark of rusty edges to the tertials is only temporary.  In this bird, these edges have already worn off. 


01 February 2013, photo by Alan Schmierer

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer

Submitted on 02 February 2013

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