Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), male
Rusty Blackbird, Male

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), a medium-sized member of the New World blackbird family, is a species that exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is cloaked in black plumage with a subtle green and purple sheen, while the female is a more subdued grey. Both sexes possess a pointed bill and pale yellow eyes. The name "Rusty" is derived from the brownish tinge of their winter feathers, a seasonal wardrobe change from their sleeker breeding attire.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Rusty Blackbird, look for the distinctive pale yellow eye and the pointed bill. In comparison to its relative, the Brewer's Blackbird, the Rusty Blackbird has a shorter bill, and the male's head lacks the iridescent green hue found in Brewer's.

Habitat

The Rusty Blackbird breeds in the wet, forested areas of the boreal forest and muskeg across northern Canada. It prefers the edges of ponds and wetlands, where it often nests in trees or dense shrubs, sometimes directly over water.

Distribution

During the breeding season, these birds can be found across Canada, New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Adirondack Mountains in New York, and Alaska. Come winter, they migrate southeast to the United States, with some venturing into Mexico and rare sightings in Greenland and Russian Siberia.

Behaviour

Rusty Blackbirds forage on wet ground or in shallow water, flipping leaves and tearing at submerged vegetation to find insects, small fish, and seeds. They are known to feed in flocks during migration and winter, occasionally joining other blackbird species. Their migration is characterized by a slow departure from the north in autumn and a more rapid return in spring.

Song & Calls

The Rusty Blackbird is relatively silent during fall migration and winter but becomes more vocal towards the end of winter and into spring. Both males and females sing, producing a melody of gurgling and high-pitched squeaks, especially on warmer days.

Breeding

These birds are early nesters in the boreal forest, with a tendency to linger in the north to complete their molt. They form cup nests at the edge of water bodies, where emerging dragonflies and their larvae serve as important food sources for their young.

Similar Species

The Rusty Blackbird can be confused with the Brewer's Blackbird, but differences in bill length and head coloration can help distinguish the two. The Brewer's male has a longer bill and an iridescent green head, unlike the Rusty Blackbird.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Rusty Blackbird is varied, including insects, small fish, and seeds. They have a particular affinity for the mast of small-acorn producing oaks and, in some regions, pecans. Rarely, they may predate on small passerine birds and have been known to take species as large as the Wilson's snipe.

Conservation status

The Rusty Blackbird is currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Its populations have experienced a precipitous decline, likely due to habitat loss from industrial development, hydroelectric projects, and deforestation. Mercury contamination and the effects of acid rain on calcium-rich invertebrates, a key food source, may also contribute to their decline. Conservation efforts are being bolstered by citizen science projects and the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group to better understand and mitigate these threats.

Rusty Blackbird Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Rusty Blackbirds on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Oropendolas, Orioles, Blackbirds

A photo of a Greyish Baywing (Agelaioides badius)

Greyish Baywing

Agelaioides badius
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.