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rusty blackbird

rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)
Photo provided by SteveByland/pond5.com

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The rusty blackbird is about nine inches long. The rusty coloration on the head, back, edges of flight feathers and throat is only seen in fall and winter on the nonbreeding birds and immatures of this species. During the rest of the year the feathers are black (male) or dark gray (female). The breeding plumage on the male’s head may show a green sheen. His eyes are pale yellow. The breeding plumage on the female is dark gray. Her eyes are light in color.

BEHAVIORS
The rusty blackbird lives in swamps, trees along rivers, woodland edges, grain fields and pond edges. It eats insects, seeds, grains, fruits and small aquatic invertebrates and may feed while wading in shallow water. Its song sounds like a rusty hinge. This species nests in Alaska, Canada and the northern United States. Spring migration into the state may start as early as February. Fall migrants begin arriving in September.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae

Illinois Status: common, native