Sightings Needed: Report Rusty Blackbirds

WANTED: a few good birders to track the migratory movements of a rapidly declining North American songbird. Rusty Blackbirds have declined by as much as 98% in the last four decades, making them among the most threatened species on the continent. Help scientists save this species by reporting your sightings to eBird.

Such is the plea that just went out to birdwatchers around the country. Rusty Blackbirds were once an abundant species, one of those species we hear about that formed massive flocks that blackened the skies. These stories are hard to believe for most of us, and it seems especially hard to believe for this species. Rusty Blackbirds are literally disappearing before our eyes. Now, birdwatchers get excited when they see 15 of these birds together, a far cry from the thousands upon thousands that delighted our ancestors.

Unfortunately, very little is known about this species. Rusty Blackbirds disperse widely on their breeding grounds in remote wooded swamps and bogs in the boreal forest, a habitat that is hard to access and undesirable for many people. Recent studies have been initiated in Maine and Alaska to learn more about their breeding requirements. In the winter months, they congregate in similar wet wooded areas in the southeastern U.S. to feed on nuts and seeds.

Migration is still a big black box for this species. How often are they joining flocks with other blackbirds? What habitats are they using in migration? Are they suffering from blackbird control measures? Most importantly, are threats during the migration season contributing to the species’ rapid decline?

This is where birdwatchers like you can help. As you witness flocks of blackbirds and grackles staging in your yard or favorite birding location, inspect them for the presence of a Rusty Blackbird. Note how many males and females you observe, their behavior, what other birds are around, and the habitat. Lastly, submit your observations to eBird.

Rusty Blackbirds are most easily identified by their song, widely described as sounding like a rusty door hinge. Males are black with a yellow eye. They are distinguished from male grackles by their shorter tail, smaller bill, and lack of iridescence. Female Rusty Blackbirds have a mottled appearance of rust, brown, and black, and lack the streaking on the belly of female Red-winged Blackbirds.

Other Sightings

Blackbirds and grackles continue to move through Vermont, as do large numbers of geese and other waterfowl. A few more Eastern Phoebes have shown up, most recently in Norwich and South Newfane. An Eastern Meadowlark was singing in South Burlington on April 1. Migrant raptors are slowly starting to return, like Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, and Merlin. Sparrows, often among the first migrants to return to Vermont, are being reported in increasing numbers, with Song, White-throated, Fox, American Tree, Chipping, and Dark-eyed Junco observed in the past week. The lingering snow has made for some interesting juxtapositions between winter and spring bird icons, with American Woodcock on display as Common Redpolls visit the feeders.

You can explore all the birds reported last week in Vermont and add your own sightings at Vermont eBird.

-Julie Hart