Declining across much of its range. Similar in structure to Brewer’s Blackbirds and are often found in the checklist area in their company mostly during the winter months. Local breeder in swampy habitats throughout most of Canada save for the Pacific Coast. Migrates mainly east of the Rockies to wintering grounds in the southeast States. Encountered almost annually in the checklist area during the winter but usually only of single birds among mixed blackbird flocks.
Similar species:
Rusty colouring, especially on females, distinct in nonbreeding plumage when compared to the closely related Brewer’s Blackbird. Rusty edged wing feathers a good field mark for a non-breeding Rusty Blackbird. Rusty and Brewer’s Blackbird males are tougher to separate later in the winter and early spring when they start to return to breeding plumage.
Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz (2014)
Noteworthy Data
Date | Location | Source(s) | Comments |
| February 24, 2014 | Harrison Mills | K. Stewart 2014 | Male photographed while it came to a feeder for the day. |
| February 13, 2014 | Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack | G. Gadsden 2014a | A worn male with not a lot of rusty feathering near Upper Prairie Road. In a mixed flock of blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds and European Starlings. Photographed. |
| January 13, 2014 | Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack | G. Gadsden 2014 | Female photographed among Brewer's and Red-winged Blackbirds at the intersection with Prest Road. Seen on January 22, 2014 as well. |
| October 21, 2012 | Island 22 Regional Park, Chilliwack | C. McDonald 2012a | Male and female found in the afternoon in the same area as the October 4, 2007 records. Seen often near the company of American Robins, once observed feeding on hawthorn berries with a small flock of robins (G. Gadsden 2012a). Last recorded on October 26, 2012. (G. Gadsden 2012b). Photographed. |
| January 02, 2010 | Hargitt Road, Abbotsford | I. Povalyaev 2010 | Female in mixed starling and blackbird flock on the Abbotsford/Mission Christmas Bird Count. |
| March 07, 2008 | Thacker Marsh, Hope | T. Manson 2008 | Female spotted in the marsh in the morning. Not found in the afternoon or the following day. First spring record. |
| November 19, 2007 | Wellsline and McDerrmot Roads, Sumas Prairie | E. Klassen 2007 | A single bird in a mixed flock of starlings and other blackbirds. |
| October 04, 2007 | Island 22 Regional Park, Chilliwack | G. Gadsden 2007 | One male and two females seen on Oct 4, 2007. Male and female then seen almost daily until Oct 20, 2007 (G. Gadsden). Photographed. |
| January 16, 2003 | Jesperson Road Dyke, Chilliwack | D. Knopp 2003 J. Osterhold | Two females |
| October 02, 1992 | Cheam Lake Wetlands, Popkum | D. Knopp 1992 | A male |
| October 29, 1991 | Cheam Lake Wetlands, Popkum | D. Knopp 1991 | |
Photos
