Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Rusty Blackbird
Scientific name:	Euphagus carolinus
Date:	12/6 and 12/7/2018
Time:	3:10 PM
Length of time observed:	First time - 30 seconds. 2nd time - 2 minutes
Number:	2(one new bird sighting)
Age:	Unknown
Sex:	Probable Female
Location:	Near Bountiful Dump, part of Farmington Bay WMA
County:	Davis
Latilong:	40.911247, -111.924549
Elevation:	~4,200 ft.
Distance to bird:	~20 ft.
Optical equipment:	Vortex Diamondback 10x42 Binoculars, Nikon P900 Digital Camera
Weather:	Low 30's.
Light Conditions:	Low light, somewhat poor.
Description: Size of bird:	~9 inches
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical Blackbird
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Overall Brownish
(Description:) Bill Type:	Fairly Thin and pointed
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Initially I had come to look for the Rusty Blackbird found by Bryant Olsen on 11-13-2018. After finding that particular bird (photographed) initially on 12-3-2018, I was focusing my searches on Gull Species in the Bountiful Dump. The location of the Rusty Blackbird was on the way to the best location for viewing gulls. On 12-6-2018, I walked by the Russian Olive Tree where I had seen Bryant's Rusty without seeing a large flock of Brewer's Blackbirds, almost ignoring the spot. However, there were two Brewer's Blackbirds on the east side of the dike in a dead snag, making their typical "chuck" calls. I then heard from low - either on the ground or close to it - a distinguishable "chuck" call from the same tree I had seen Bryant's Rusty before. I stopped and photographed Bryant's bird, which came up from the ground, but then noticed a second bird pop up briefly from below it. It appeared to be a second, different Rusty Blackbird. I had obviously spooked the bir ds, and after a quick look and photo the two flew to the north. This second bird had similar "rusty" tones throughout, most noticeable in the cap, but a much stronger "light eyebrow" and dark coloring around the eye, and a yellow iris, much more prominent than the other individual with similar but Rusty Blackbird like characteristics. The bill was very thin compared to Brewer's, but seemingly less curved than the first individual (could be anlge from photos), although seemingly variable amongst Rusty Blackbird individuals. Both birds had bills much thinner in appearance compared to Brewer's Blackbirds. The two birds were present once again on 12-7-2018, and once again without the large flock of Brewer's Blackbirds, initially. I was able to get a better look/confirmation with photos the second time around. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	"chuck" call - only slightly higher pitched but very different than nearby calling Brewer's Blackbirds.
Behavior:	Foraging low under a Russian Olive, possibly on the ground.
Habitat:	Wetland with cattails/phragmites and scattered Russian Olives. Very close to the Bountiful Dump.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Brewer's Blackbird is quite similar, but females lack rusty tones and usually have a dark iris. Males usually have shiny/glossy black, immatures can look fairly similar but usually lack rusty tones and have a shiny/glossy back. The call is noticeably different when hearing them both at the same time. Red-winged Blackbirds can have some rust color but look and sound quite different overall, have a much different shaped bill, wider at the base but is tapered to a fine point. Do not have a yellow iris.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Extensive with Brewer's and Red-winged. I have run into a couple small groups mixed in with other blackbirds in Wisconsin.
References consulted:	Bryant Olsen and memory.
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Max Malmquist
Observer's address:	1957 East Longview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Unsure, although Cameron Cox and Allison Anholt saw one of the two Rusty Blackbirds.
Date prepared:	12-10-2018
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	[eBird checklists]: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50481996 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50507119