Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Rusty Blackbird
Scientific name:	Euphagus carolinus
Date:	10-31-2018
Time:	1:54pm
Length of time observed:	3 Minutes
Number:	1
Age:	?
Sex:	Female
Location:	Farmington Bay WFMA
County:	Davis
Latilong:	N 40.966479, -111.930168
Elevation:	4212
Distance to bird:	20m
Optical equipment:	10x42 Binos, Canon SX60 Digital Camera
Weather:	Overcast, 48F
Light Conditions:	Good
Description: Size of bird:	9 inches
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical Blackbird
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	overall mostly rusty brown, some sooty brown on tail and wings
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long,slightly decurved and black
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Noticed a large group of Blackbirds on the power lines and feeding on the road side next to Glover ponds. As I was scanning them with the binos my eye caught a lot of rufous in a bird on the side of the road. We creept closer to the flock and I got out of the car and clearly saw a female type Rusty Blackbird: Overall very rusty on the head,breast and back. Yellow iris, strong supercilium, pale throat. Brown belly with sooty brown wings and tail. grabbed the camera and snapped off some photos. There were many birds so keeping track of that individual was difficult, but I did manage a few decent photos. Shortly after that a Harrier came over, all the birds flushed but resettled nearby, But I could not relocate the Rusty again. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None heard specifically from this bird, many Blackbird chuck calls heard
Behavior:	Feeding on side of a road in a large mixed Starling-Blackbird flock
Habitat:	Next to a large pond, and near agriculture fields
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Brewer's Blackbird is most similar, but never have as strong or extensive of rust color as this individual. Females usually have a dark iris. Red-winged can have extensive rust too, but are much more streaky and always have a dark iris Brown-headed Cowbird females are superficially similar, but also have a dark eye, stouter bill, and duller tan color
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Yes, I've seen 3 other Rusty Blackbirds in Utah,all females. I've seen many thousands of Red-winged, Brewers and Brown-headed Cowbirds.
References consulted:	Memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Description from:
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Lauri Taylor was with me
Date prepared:	11-1-18
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49585083