Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-73
| Common name: |
Rusty Blackbird |
| Scientific name: | Euphagus carolinus |
| Date: | Dec. 15th, 2018 |
| Time: | 12:07 |
| Length of time observed: | Observed: 4 min. |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | 40.798498, -112.015080 [N. of International Center] |
| County: | Salt Lake County |
| Latilong: | 6 |
| Elevation: | 4,220' |
| Distance to bird: | about 15' |
| Optical equipment: | binoculars and 500mm lens |
| Weather: | clear, sunny, and 40 degrees F. |
| Light Conditions: | sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | Typical blackbird size |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | blackbird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | black gray and rusty brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | average and pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Rusty crown, light eye and highly contrasting supercillium. Rusty back and
brown/gray speckled breast. Very distinct facial pattern with dark eye patch.
Dark metallic wings, rump and tail. Rusty brown edges on primaries and tertials.
(see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | The bird was very vocal, matching Rusty Blackbird calls and notes. No attempt at recording or using audio playback. |
| Behavior: | Very vocal and active over open water on a metal perch. Paid little mind to all in the group that were on both sides of the canal and close to the bird. Eventually it flew north and out of sight. Interestingly the same bird was seen 30 min. later further up the canal but at a much greater distance. |
| Habitat: | Marsh riparian mix over Jordan River drainage. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-winged Blackbird eliminated given light eye, rusty color, lack of juvenile red-winged streaking and overall jizz. Seperated from Brewer's by pattern and the rusty color being in all the right places for a Rusty Blackbird. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Seen Brewer's Blackbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds on probably thousands of occasions. Seen Rusty Blackbird in Utah on 2 other occasions. |
| References consulted: | Ebird and Sibley's |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Matthew Pendleton |
| Observer's address: | 12043 Bluff View Dr. Sandy84092 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Lothair Pendleton, Lauri Taylor, Dan Errichetti, Mike Johnson, AJ Kaumavae |
| Date prepared: | 12/17/2018 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50695716 |