[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Icteridae | [latin] Euphagus carolinus | [UK] Rusty Blackbird | [FR] Quiscale rouille | [DE] Roststarling | [ES] Turpial Rojizo | [NL] Zwarte Troepiaal
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
| Euphagus | carolinus | NA | n | se USA | |
| Euphagus | carolinus | carolinus | |||
| Euphagus | carolinus | nigrans |
Physical charateristics
Rusty only in fall or winter; otherwise suggests Brewer’s Blackbird or a short-tailed Grackle. Male, spring: A Robin-sized blackbird with a pale yellow eye. Black head of breeding male may show faint greenish
gloss (not purplish). Female, spring: Slate-colored, with a light eye. Fall and winter adults: Washed with rusty; males barred below.
gloss (not purplish). Female, spring: Slate-colored, with a light eye. Fall and winter adults: Washed with rusty; males barred below.
Listen to the sound of Rusty Blackbird
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/R/Rusty Blackbird.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 35 | cm | wingspan max.: | 13 | cm |
| size min.: | 21 | cm | size max.: | 25 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 15 | days | incubation max.: | 11 | days |
| fledging min.: | 13 | days | fledging max.: | 1 | days |
| broods: | 3 | eggs min.: | 6 | ||
| eggs max.: | 0 |
Range
North America : North
Habitat
River groves, wooded swamps; muskeg in summer.
Breeds in the muskeg region, in wet northern coniferous forest with many lakes and bogs. During migration and winter, favors areas with trees near water, as in wooded swamps and riverside forest; will also forage in open fields and cattle feedlots with o
ther blackbirds.
Breeds in the muskeg region, in wet northern coniferous forest with many lakes and bogs. During migration and winter, favors areas with trees near water, as in wooded swamps and riverside forest; will also forage in open fields and cattle feedlots with o
ther blackbirds.
Reproduction
Sometimes nests in small, loose colonies, but more typically in isolated pairs. Male gives harsh, grating song in spring, to defend nesting territory or to attract a mate.
Nest:
Site is in dense cover, usually in conifer or in shrubs above the water; placed very low, typically only a few feet above water or ground, but can be up to 20′ high in coniferous tree. Nest (built by female) is a bulky open cup of twigs and grass, often
with foundation of Usnea lichens, the inner bowl shaped of mudlike decaying plant material from the forest floor; lined with fine grass.
Eggs: 4-5. Pale blue-green, spotted with brown and gray. Incubation is by female only, about 14 days.
Young: Both parents bring food for nestlings. Young leave the nest about 13-14 days after hatching.
Nest:
Site is in dense cover, usually in conifer or in shrubs above the water; placed very low, typically only a few feet above water or ground, but can be up to 20′ high in coniferous tree. Nest (built by female) is a bulky open cup of twigs and grass, often
with foundation of Usnea lichens, the inner bowl shaped of mudlike decaying plant material from the forest floor; lined with fine grass.
Eggs: 4-5. Pale blue-green, spotted with brown and gray. Incubation is by female only, about 14 days.
Young: Both parents bring food for nestlings. Young leave the nest about 13-14 days after hatching.
Feeding habits
Mostly insects and seeds. Majority of annual diet is insects, including many aquatic insects such as caddisflies, mayflies, dragonflies, and water beetles, plus land insects such as
grasshoppers and others. Also eats snails, crustaceans, small fish, small salamanders. Eats many seeds and waste grain, especially in winter; also a few berries.
Behavior: Forages mostly by walking on wet ground or wading in shallow water. May be solitary or in flocks. May join flocks of other blackbirds and feed with them in dry fields.
grasshoppers and others. Also eats snails, crustaceans, small fish, small salamanders. Eats many seeds and waste grain, especially in winter; also a few berries.
Behavior: Forages mostly by walking on wet ground or wading in shallow water. May be solitary or in flocks. May join flocks of other blackbirds and feed with them in dry fields.
Conservation
This species has experienced a long term population decline which has been rapid during the past decade. For this reason it is currently classified as Vulnerable. More accurate survey data may warrant a re-evaluation of its status.
Migration
Alaska, Canada, northeastern edge of United States. Winters mainly to southeastern United States. Migration:
Migrates relatively late in fall and early in spring. Strays appear in the West and Southwest most often in late fall.
Migrates relatively late in fall and early in spring. Strays appear in the West and Southwest most often in late fall.
Distribution map
