Rusty Blackbird in Rice County
2012-04-13

Uncommon in Rice County in the Spring season

I assume this is a rusty blackbird.Several were seen at Cannon River Wilderness Park feeding along the river bank. The Cornell Ornithology website says that rusty blackbirds will lose the rusty feather-edging by spring. This means that what I was saw was fresh breeding plumage. Neither Sibley nor Crossley show this plumage. I wonder why. First reported by Linda Whyte.

Larry Sirvio