Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Rusty Blackbirds

 Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

Rusty blackbirds are headed south  for the southeastern U.S. but along the way a few stopped into one of my favourite  birding spots to refuel. It's a treat to see them as they have been suffering from a population decline. Now they are dressed in their winter plumage and - truth be told - I don't believe I would recognize them in their breeding finery,  Maybe I would notice their lovely yellow eyes, though.

Fall finery

A large percentage of them (some say 75%) spend summer in Canada's boreal forests. They are considered a keystone species because they build sturdy nests anew each year, so sturdy that other birds such as the Solitary Sandpiper have been known to use their abandoned nests the next year.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
at

44 comments:

  1. AnvilcloudOctober 20, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    As I have said before, you do know your birds and flowers. But ... you probably want to correct the typo in your title. :)

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  2. Tanya BreeseOctober 20, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    wonderful shots!

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  3. Tanya BreeseOctober 20, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    wonderful shots!

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  4. chicaOctober 20, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    Cliques maravilhosos!bjs,chica

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  5. GreenComotionOctober 20, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    Great find and photos, Tina!
    Love the antique finish on the birds ...
    Have a Beautiful Day!
    Peace :)

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  6. Phil SladeOctober 20, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    I regret I never saw a Rusty Blackbird in two visits to Ontario, Canada. Interesting that your birders like NW winds in the autumn. Our NW winds blow off the Irish Sea where there is water. Your NW winds blow from inland where many birds reside?

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  7. Sylvia KOctober 20, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    I always love your birds and critters -- well, let's face it, I love your blog and your photos and look forward to them every day!! I hope you're having good weather, it's very mild for this time of year here in Portland, but it is GRAY and gloomy!! Hope your week is off to a great start!! Enjoy!!

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  8. BasiaWOctober 20, 2015 at 2:54 PM

    I always love your birds too....

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  9. mickOctober 20, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Great photos - I like your name for the birds - "rusty blackbirds" - that is perfect for their off-season plumage.

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  10. My name is RietOctober 20, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    What a special bird that is

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  11. William KendallOctober 20, 2015 at 3:08 PM

    They really are pretty!

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  12. Ruth HiebertOctober 20, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    They are certainly beautiful on their fall colors.

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  13. GigaOctober 20, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    Blackbirds in winter clothes look interesting. Regards.

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  14. Author R. Mac WheelerOctober 20, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    I look forward to seeing them down our way :O)

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  15. CloudiaOctober 20, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    Thank you very much for this introduction to a new and lovely bird!

    Now they have one more fan wishing them well. . . .



    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral

    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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  16. 21 WitsOctober 20, 2015 at 4:15 PM

    A beautiful bird, and so often unless it's very common to me do I ever know their real name! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. TexWisGirlOctober 20, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    wow, they're gorgeous!

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  18. RevrunnerOctober 20, 2015 at 4:26 PM

    I've never knowingly seen one.

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  19. DianneOctober 20, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    Lovely clear captures of these unusually coloured birds.

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  20. NokeOctober 20, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    Schöne Bilder vom Herbst Putz.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  21. Pamela GordonOctober 20, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    Beautiful captures of these birds. I like the touches of 'gold' in their feathers.

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  22. LowellOctober 20, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    You've captured this little guy perfectly. But a name change might be considered: How about Rustybirds?

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  23. RedPatOctober 20, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    Such wonderful patterns the feathers make, EG!

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  24. UnknownOctober 20, 2015 at 5:48 PM

    Wonderful pictures, you sure have some patience...

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  25. DeniseinVAOctober 20, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    Lovely birds beautifully captured.

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  26. Taken For GrantedOctober 20, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    We have lots of black birds, but never seen this one. Thank for posting your excellent pictures.

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  27. RoseOctober 20, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    He sure is a handsome fellow!

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  28. StephanieOctober 20, 2015 at 10:00 PM

    A beautiful looking bird.

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  29. KayOctober 20, 2015 at 11:46 PM

    Another one we don't see out west. Very, very nice shots!

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  30. IndraniOctober 21, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    Wow! Excellent. Well captured.

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  31. BirgittaOctober 21, 2015 at 1:53 AM

    Great photos! Thanks for info too!

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  32. Margaret Birding For PleasureOctober 21, 2015 at 2:52 AM

    great hots and don't remember seeing one on blogger.

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  33. BreathtakingOctober 21, 2015 at 5:14 AM

    Oh my word what a gorgeous looking Blackbird, which I have never ever seen or heard of before. Many thanks for sharing this beautiful capture.

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  34. DarlaOctober 21, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    I can see the Rusty in that last shot. Hope their numbers are increasing soon

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  35. eileeninmdOctober 21, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    The are pretty Blackbirds, great shots! I am glad you got to see them. Enjoy your day!

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  36. PerthDailyPhotoOctober 21, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    Brilliant captures EG, you can see where the 'rusty' comes in, amazing.I have never seen before.

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  37. VPOctober 21, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    A fine 'portrait'!

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  38. NatureFootstepOctober 21, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    this is a blackbird I can´t remember weeing before. Glad you were able to do that. :) Great shots .

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  39. KathyOctober 21, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    I've never seen one of these birds. I guess we're too far west. Very pretty dappled coloring.

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  40. Amy at love made my homeOctober 21, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    I have never seen a rusty blackbird before, or heard of them. Ours are all just regular black blackbirds! xx

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  41. Silver ParrotOctober 21, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    Never seen these before - thanks for sharing. They kind of remind me of grackles a bit.

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  42. A Colorful WorldOctober 21, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    Such an interesting bird! Great shots!

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  43. JackOctober 21, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    Beautiful birds beautifully photographed.

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  44. Adam JonesOctober 22, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    That's a new bird for me. Great shots too.

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