Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a common new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 5 countries, weighing about 60 g. The rusty blackbird is a medium-sized New World blackbird, closely related to grackles.
About the Rusty Blackbird
The rusty blackbird is a medium-sized New World blackbird, closely related to grackles. It is a bird that prefers wet forested areas, breeding in the boreal forest and muskeg across northern Canada, and migrating southeast to the United States during winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adults have a pointed bill and a pale yellow eye. They have black plumage with faint green and purple gloss; the female is greyer. "Rusty" refers to the brownish winter plumage. They resemble the western member of the same genus, the Brewer's blackbird; however, Brewer's has a longer bill and the male's head is iridescent green.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mexico.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rusty Blackbird?
- Adults have a pointed bill and a pale yellow eye. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rusty Blackbird?
- The Rusty Blackbird is a small sized bird weighing about 60 g.
- Where can you see a Rusty Blackbird?
- The Rusty Blackbird occurs in 5 countries, including the United States, Canada, St. Pierre & Miquelon and Bermuda.
- What birds look similar to a Rusty Blackbird?
- The Rusty Blackbird is most easily confused with the Brewer's Blackbird.
- Is the Rusty Blackbird endangered?
- The Rusty Blackbird is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rusty Blackbird for real
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