More Urban Species: Rusty Blackbird

[urbpan]

Photos by cottonmanifesto. Location: Jamaica Plain.

Rusty blackbird Euphagus carolinus

It is not shocking that after many years of observing nature in the city, that this was the first and to date only, rusty blackbird I have seen. First of all, blackbirds are not always easy to distinguish from one another, especially the females. And they habitually gather in mixed flocks numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. This lone female would have gone unidentified if not for the dogged pursuit of the Urban Nature Walk photogs, and the bird's fortunate stillness for the camera. It was only after examining the pictures later, and comparing them to identification guides that we recognized her.

Secondly, this is one the more uncommon blackbird species that can be found in the Boston area, and the one with the most particular habitat needs. Rusty blackbirds only nest in forested wetlands, as far north as the treeline in Alaska and northern Canada. They also happen to be the North American songbird with the steepest observed population decline. Why this should be so is a mystery, but it is likely to have many causes. Habitat losses over the recent centuries, as agriculture spread across Alberta and other places, have had the greatest impact. Also, competition from other blackbirds--those that are better adapted for living alongside human changes to the landscape--appears to threaten them as well.

Rusty blackbirds migrate to wet woods in the United States in winter, with Massachusetts marking the northernmost part of their winter range. They feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, such as insects and insect larvae, but will resort to eating acorn mast and other plant material when pressed. There are reports that rusty blackbirds have even attacked and eaten smaller songbirds.



Online sources consulted:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds, Bird Guide. "Rusty Blackbird."

National Audubon Society: Audubon Watchlist. "Rusty Blackbird."

Friends of the National Zoo Migratory Bird Center. "Decline of the Rusty Blackbird."


On this day in 365 Urban Species: White-winged scoter.

Comments

[xondra.livejournal.com]

Sorry for banging in like this.I'm in a bit of a situation with a bird that is not my own. I hope you can help me.This is what I posted to spo_prevention:

It may have been a couple of weeks ago when a stray baby dove landed in the balcony of my apartment. It did great for the most part, attracting older doves to feed itself. We also provided food and water so the other doves would feel tempted to help my little friend.
Today it got scared and glided 5 stories onto the parking lot, where I captured it so it wouldn't die under the wheel of a car. However, I'm not sure whether what I'm planning to do is correct: take it to a vet so it can check for injuries and broken wings (though I think they are perfect), so I can take it back to the balcony where it might grow and fly away where it cannot give me heart attacks. But is this correct, or should I put it back in the balcony asap?
Thanks in advance!

ETA:: the sun is down right now but there's a little light so I can see the shapes of things and some detail. I don't know if it's prudent to liberate it right now because of the lack of full light, but I'm prepared to do it if it's the right thing.


Any help is most welcomed. Thanks in advance!

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

If it were me, I'd leave it on the balcony--that's where it's parents will be expecting it. Other people would want to take it to the vet to be x-rayed, but that's expensive, and the parents may not continue to feed it once you bring it back.

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[ndozo.livejournal.com]

Yay! A new species! Is this 366 or 367? I kind of miss reading those entries, although I often go back and check old ones for help with IDs. It's exciting to see a new bird, and these amazing pictures give me some hope that I might be able to recognize one of these if I saw it.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Click the 'more urban species' tag! I think this is the third entry in the appendix (368). Yeah, Alexis' pictures are great--they show all the important field marks.

[greenminions.livejournal.com]

nice shots :)

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Credit goes to cottonmanifesto! She's awesome.