Not a goose

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Not a goose

February 15, 2016 by Mike Powell

As I was watching some Canada Geese foraging in open water at Huntley Meadows Park on Saturday, I noticed a smaller, darker bird in the middle of the group. Clearly it was not a goose, but it too was wading in the shallow water and periodically pulling out tasty pieces of vegetation.

It looks to me like it is a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), a cool-looking species that I don’t see very often. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the “Rusty Blackbird is one of America’s most rapidly declining species. The population has plunged an estimated 85-99 percent over the past forty years and scientists are completely puzzled over what is the cause.”

Rusty Blackbirds often gather in small flocks, but I observed only this single individual. I kept an eye on the blackbird and was fortunate to get some shots as it moved in and out of the light on a frigid day at the marsh.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on February 15, 2016 at 9:13 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

That’s interesting that it’s disappearing but also kind of sad. I wonder if it can’t take the competition from other species of blackbirds. I know that red winged blackbirds would give them a good trouncing. They chase me quite often.
- on February 15, 2016 at 9:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I think it is mostly a habitat issue. They tend to hang around wetlands more than the Red-winged Blackbirds do.
on February 15, 2016 at 11:55 am | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Fascinating species, the background information was really interesting.
on February 15, 2016 at 1:40 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

I have never even heard of a rusty blackbird. I am glad you were able to get such great shots so that I could see what one looks like given I am sadly, it seem, unlikely to see one in the wild.
on February 15, 2016 at 9:32 pm | Reply Bella Remy Photography

Great find Mike!
- on February 16, 2016 at 4:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Emily.
on February 15, 2016 at 10:01 pm | Reply krikitarts

I, too, have not heard of these before. Thanks for taking the time to do the ID research. So sorry, however, to hear that yet another species is endangered. May your post help to increase awareness and interest!
- on February 16, 2016 at 4:48 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Gary. I see Rusty Blackbirds from time to time–their light colored eyes help me to identify them. I am hoping that their numbers will stabilize. From what I read, the edges of beaver ponds are one of their favorite habitats and that is where I found this one.