Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2016-48
| Common name: |
Rusty Blackbird |
| Scientific name: | Euphagus carolinus |
| Date: | 12-12-2016 |
| Time: | 2:15PM |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | Buffalo Ranches pond |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 50-100m |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex 8.5 X 32 Binoculars, Canon SX50 hs Digital Camera |
| Weather: | sunny, 40F |
| Light Conditions: | good |
| Description: Size of bird: | 9inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical blackbird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | rufous and tan |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Typical blackbird |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Spotted by Vivian schneggenburger, she asked me if it was a Brown-headed
Cowbird, upon looking at the blackbird I noted its rufous wings and back, it
then flew to the ground and I got a look at the face and breast, noted yellow
eye, rusty crown, supercilium, pale throat and tanish gray breast. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Alone in marsh grown with phragmites, a flooded muddy field and 1 Russian Olive, often perching on fence posts, at times foraging in flooded field on the ground. A male Vermilion Flycatcher was nearby, but the 2 birds were not together or interacting. |
| Habitat: | Freshwater wetland |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Brewer's Blackbird never have rufous on the wings, or as much on the back and
crown.Females usually have a dark eye and lack a pale throat and strong
supercilium. Red-winged Blackbird female superficially similar, but have a dark eye and more streaked back and breast. Brown-headed Cowbirds have stouter bill, lack rufous and a have a dark eye. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I saw one in a cattle feed lot a few years back |
| References consulted: | Sibley 2014 |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102, SLC UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | I was with Vivian schneggenburger and Lauri Taylor. Run into Mike Hearell shortly after spotting the bird. |
| Date prepared: | 12-12-16 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32988255 |