Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group Update
July 10, 2009
The International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group is dedicated to understanding and reversing the decline of the rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus). They recently posted their steering committee and list of members.
September 18, 2009 at 10:12 am
I think I may have seen the rusty blackbird in my backyard today. There were quite a few in our oak tree and what I first noticed was 2 things when pulling into our driveway. The sparrows were all mostly congregated together in the front yard and roof of the house and the sound of the birds. It was not any song I had heard. Actually, at one point I thought maybe a bird was caught somewhere.
Then I entered my backyard to see our oak tree covered with a fairly small black bird with a bright colored eye. I thought they were tiny grackles at first. Then I did some research, and I believe what I may have seen was the rusty blackbird.
I saw a flock in the tree. Maybe 20 – 30. From what I could tell, mostly male. My husband and I live near the Spigott river in Methuen, MA. I also saw wood peckers and chickadees nearby. But they were most friendly with the sparrows. At one point, the flock landed on my neighbors yards. (Must have been more like 30 – 40 at that point). I took some quick shots with my camera. They were feeding on the front lawn. I had just pulled up my vegetable garden and some were in their as well. One was trying to take apart what appeared to be a tiny piece of wood. I can still hear a few in the tree outside it is now 11:00 AM on Sept 18th. To my knowledge, they have been hear 2 hours.
I do know that myself and my neighbors don’t use pesticides on our lawn or yards. And we do maintain our yards regularly. If you need a picture sent, please let me know.
Hope this helps!
Julie Levesque