Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus

Patti and I went to Rodeo Lagoon this morning and were rewarded with long looks at a female Rusty Blackbird foraging in the shallow water and on the mud at the northeast corner of the lagoon. The bird was spotted yesterday by Dave Wiechers and William Legge. Hopefully it will abide awhile.

Here's a crop to show the eye color and incomplete white eye ring:

The Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, was once very common in the U.S. Their numbers have declined an estimated 85-95+% over the last 40 years, confounding experts looking for the causes. Habit loss and intentional blackbird/cowbird poisoning efforts* no doubt play a role, but the decline is worse that expected solely on those factors, and the species in now listed as vulnerable. They breed across Canada, in forested tracts that are near water, and spend the winter in the eastern half of the U.S. Vagrants  to California are seen mostly in the fall (they are late migrants), and not very often any more. Their varied diet includes insects, seeds, and even small fish! The bird here foraged actively on the mud and in the shallow water.

The species is similar in size to Brewer's Blackbird. The males are similar in breeding plumage, but in fall the Rusty is indeed more reddish. No confusing the females, as the Rusty female has a yellow eye and rufous fringing on the inner wing flight feathers (tertials). A gray rump is also distinctive. The bird at Rodeo seems to have an incomplete whitish eye ring, as well as amber colored irides, suggesting it may be a juvenile. I'll let the experts ponder that one.

A few more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157638022331836/

* Yes, it is legal to poison birds, usually because they are causing damage to crops. Most efforts are directed toward reducing Red-winged Blackbird numbers (as well as Common Grackles and Cowbirds), but Rusty Blackbird deaths are an example of unavoidable collateral damage.