Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-67
| Common name: |
Rusty Blackbird |
| Scientific name: | Euphagus carolinus |
| Date: | 11-13-2018 |
| Time: | 4:26pm |
| Length of time observed: | 3 Minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Bountiful; Pond |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | N. 40.911039, -111.927744 |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 3m |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 Binos, Canon SX60 Digital Camera |
| Weather: | Mostly sunny, 45F |
| Light Conditions: | Backlighting was a challenge |
| Description: Size of bird: | 9 inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Typical Blackbird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | overall mostly brown, some sooty brown on tail and wings |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Long,slightly decurved and black |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
As I was walking back to the car along the canal, I noted a small flock of
Blackbirds perched in the top of a nearby Russian Olive. I gave them a quick
scan with the binos and noted a female type blackbird that had yellow eyes. It
was getting late and the sun was very low so the birds were horribly backlit, so
I couldn't see any rufous color in the bird, so I toke a few photos and
intentionally over exposed them to make any color pop. I then took some photos
of some nearby female Brewer's blackbirds that had brown eyes in the same
exposure to compare with the yellow eyed blackbird. Upon examining the photos,
the rusty color on the back, breast and crown was evident. Shortly after I took
the photos the whole flocks spooked and I was unable to relocate the Rusty. This
is the exact same location that Kris Pury found a female Rusty Blackbird last
winter, and I observed that bird in the exact same tree in February. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard from the subject bird, other Blackbirds nearby did some chuck calls |
| Behavior: | Perched in the top of a Russian Olive in a mixed Blackbird flock |
| Habitat: | Freshwater wetland complex |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Brewer's Blackbird is most similar, but females never have any rust unlike the
subject bird. Most females usually have a dark iris. Males are mostly glossy
black, but some can have a touch of rust in the crown in wither, but always have
a glossy black back 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 Great-tailed and Common Grackle females are superficially similar, but much larger with a much longer tails |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, my 5th in Utah |
| References consulted: | Macaulay Library |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None that I know of recently, many saw the Rusty at this location last winter |
| Date prepared: | 11-14-18 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49921531 |