Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Rusty Blackbird
Scientific name:	Euphagus carolinus
Date:	December 20, 2020 (Seen again Jan. 17, 2021)
Time:	1:45 pm
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult – Non-breeding
Sex:	Male
Location:	Howell -- Town
County:	Box Elder
Latilong:	41.796186, -112.446320
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	5m at closest.
Optical equipment:	10x42 Nikon Monarch Binoculars & Canon 7D w/ 100-400mm lens.
Weather:	80% cloud cover, mid-30’s, no wind.
Light Conditions:	Fair lighting. Mostly cloudy, sun behind the clouds. Colors muted, especially in photos.
Description: Size of bird:	Medium-sized Blackbird; larger and longer-tailed than RWBL, but smaller and shorter-tailed than Grackles.
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Blackbird shape. Long tail, long legs and upright posture. Basic blackbird shape.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Appeared mostly blackish overall with bold, pale supercilium and rusty fringing on upperparts.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Thin, relatively long, sharp bill with slight curve.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Medium-sized Blackbird, similar in size and shape to Brewer’s. Obviously longer-winged and longer-tailed than Red-winged Blackbird, with longer, thicker bill. Noticeable curve in bill to contrast with Brewer’s Blackbird. Pale supercilium and contrasting black lores conspicuous, as was the pale iris. Upon closer examination, both Quinn and I noted rusty-colored fringing on the scapular and tertial feathers, diagnostic of Rusty Blackbird. The coloring was a rich, chestnut-red and not the faded, or buffy-brown that some, non-breeding male Brewer’s may show. eBird Checklists: https://ebird.org/checklist/S77770649 & https://ebird.org/checklist/S79466313
Song or call & method of delivery:	Did not hear vocalize; I believe Kenny F. has recordings of the bird singing.
Behavior:	Foraging in feedlot and on roadside with meadowlarks. Perching on fenceposts, telephone posts and wires, and in Russian Olives. Long-staying bird, seen off-and-on for 1.5-2 months.
Habitat:	Agricultural town, livestock feedlots on either side of the road. Large deciduous trees in the area with grassland and agricultural habitat in immediate vicinity.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Brewer’s Blackbird: Curved bill. Rich rusty-colored fringing in scapular and tertial feathers. Broad, pale supercilium and pale eye. Dark lores. Red-winged Blackbird: Larger and longer-tailed than RWBL; thicker and longer bill. Common Grackle: Smaller and shorter-tailed than COGR. Lacked bronze sheen across central body and upperparts; smaller, thinner bill.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have a handful of previous encounters with non-breeding, male Rusty Blackbirds. Extensive experience with Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackle.
References consulted:	Sibley Guide to Birds, Macaulay Library.
Description from:	NOTES TAKEN AT TIME OF SIGHTING, notes made later and photos
Observer:	Kendall Watkins
Observer's address:	2622 W Dry Creek Drive, Riverton, 84065
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Quinn Diaz, Jeff Cooper, Bryant Olsen, Tim Avery, Kenny Frisch, Nate Brown, & others.
Date prepared:
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: