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Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz CountyThis 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 |
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Submitted on 02 February 2013 |
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