MOURC Proceedings Archive - Blackbirds, Orioles Accepted
Duplicates
This is the 1981 to present Records Committee Proceedings archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
Families
Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
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Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
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Dippers
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Old World Flycatchers
Old World Sparrows
Pipits
Finches
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Towhees, Sparrows
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds, Orioles
Warblers
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks

Proceedings
Species: Blackbirds, Orioles
Bullock's Oriole
[Spot-breasted Oriole]
Baltimore Oriole
Scott's Oriole
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
[Quiscalus grackle]

Brewer's Blackbird (R) (Euphagus cyanocephalus)Start Date 1936-01-01
RefFirstLastLocationCounty23CommentStatus
avian
information
1953-12-25Martin12/25 Martin (first winter record)
avian
information
1957-12-28Wabasha12/28 Wabasha (first winter record)
avian
information
1960-12-261961-01-01Carver12/26-1/1 Carver (first winter record)
avian
information
1961-01-14Dakota1/14 Dakota (first winter record)
avian
information
1962-12-291963-01-01Carver12/29-1/1 Carver (second winter record)
Jan. 1, Carver Co., N. of Shakopee, R. Janssen; 16 seen on Christmas Census in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, adjacent Rock County, Minn.
avian
information
1963-12-28Carver12/28 Carver (third winter record)
avian
information
1964-01-04Dodge1/4 Dodge (first winter record)
avian
information
1966-01-02Cass1/2 Cass (first winter record)
avian
information
1966-12-261967-01-15Cook12/26-1/15 Cook (first winter record)
11-27 and 2-4 Parkville, St. Louis Co., SNE; 12-26 to 1-15 Tofte, Cook Co., seen daily, apparently with injured wing, MOP; these very northerly records are unusual considering that this species seldom winters as far north as the Twin Cities; often difficult to separate from adult Rusty Blackbird in winter.
avian
information
1967-12-25Aitkin12/25 Aitkin (first winter record)
12-21 Collegeville, Stearns Co., 1 at feeder, voice noted, KE.
avian
information
1967-12-25Stearns12/25 Stearns (first winter record)
12-21 Collegeville, Stearns Co., 1 at feeder, voice noted, KE.
avian
information
1968-12-12Wabasha12/12 Wabasha (second winter record)
avian
information
1969-01-01Cass1/1 Cass (second winter record)
avian
information
1972-12-17Isanti12/17 Isanti (first winter record)
12-16 (1) Big Stone DP; all winter at feeder Deerwood, Crow Wing TS.
avian
information
1973-12-15Marshall12/15 Marshall (first winter record)
Reported on the Warren (Marshall Co.), Excelsior and Minneapolis Christmas Counts; also 12-15 Big Stone (D. Peterson).
avian
information
1974-12-28Dakota12/28 Dakota (second winter record)
Reported on the Big Stone, Bloomington and St. Paul N.E. Christmas Counts; also 12-5 to 12-17 Freeborn (DG).
avian
information
1975-12-20Houston12/20 Houston (first winter record)
if correct, no less than 10 reports: seen in Winona, Steele, Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Stearns, Big Stone, Crow Wing (early Dec., TS), St. Louis (Hibbing Christmas Count) and Polk (Crookston Christmas Count) Co's; not all Rusty Blackbirds in late fall and winter are rusty, therefore care must be taken when indentifying winter Brewer's.
avian
information
1975-12-27Steele12/27 Steele (first winter record)
if correct, no less than 10 reports: seen in Winona, Steele, Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Stearns, Big Stone, Crow Wing (early Dec., TS), St. Louis (Hibbing Christmas Count) and Polk (Crookston Christmas Count) Co's; not all Rusty Blackbirds in late fall and winter are rusty, therefore care must be taken when indentifying winter Brewer's.
avian
information
1976-01-04Polk1/4 Polk (first winter record)
if correct, no less than 10 reports: seen in Winona, Steele, Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Stearns, Big Stone, Crow Wing (early Dec., TS), St. Louis (Hibbing Christmas Count) and Polk (Crookston Christmas Count) Co's; not all Rusty Blackbirds in late fall and winter are rusty, therefore care must be taken when indentifying winter Brewer's.
avian
information
1977-01-02Chisago1/2 Chisago (first winter record)
Reported on the Big Stone, Excelsior, Minneapolis, Bloomington and Chisago Lakes Christmas Counts; while all of these reports may be valid, no one submitted completely convincing details.
avian
information
1977-01-02Dakota1/2 Dakota (third winter record)
Reported on the Big Stone, Excelsior, Minneapolis, Bloomington and Chisago Lakes Christmas Counts; while all of these reports may be valid, no one submitted completely convincing details.
avian
information
1978-12-17Mower12/17 Mower (first winter record)
Late migrants seen on the La Crescent, Austin, St. Paul N. E. and Hibbing (injured) CBCs.
avian
information
1979-01-01Washington1/1 Washington (first winter record)
Late migrants seen on the La Crescent, Austin, St. Paul N. E. and Hibbing (injured) CBCs.
avian
information
1979-12-15Sherburne12/15 Sherburne (first winter record)
Two reports: Nicollet 12-14 (JCF) and Cottonwood 12-30, 1-1 (RLG).
avian
information
1980-01-01Cottonwood1/1 Cottonwood (first winter record)
Two reports: Nicollet 12-14 (JCF) and Cottonwood 12-30, 1-1 (RLG).
avian
information
1981-12-19Blue Earth12/19 Blue Earth (first winter record)
Only report: Blue Earth 12-17 (MJF).
avian
information
1982-12-18Beltrami12/18 Beltrami (first winter record)
Reported on the Bemidji CBC, Nicollet, 12/3 and 12/9 (JCF) and possible early migrants in Clay on 2/25 (LCF).
avian
information
1982-12-18Olmsted12/18 Olmsted (first winter record)
Reported on the Bemidji CBC, Nicollet, 12/3 and 12/9 (JCF) and possible early migrants in Clay on 2/25 (LCF).
avian
information
1983-12-17Blue Earth12/17 Blue Earth (second winter record)
Reported on the Mankato CBC (51), and Otter Tail, 12-7 (SDM) and Olmsted, 2-26 (JBK).
avian
information
1986-12-20Cook12/20 Cook (second winter record)
North east reports from Cook until 1/23 (KMH); in Lake Co. a female at Isabella until 1/8 and a male was present throughout January and February (SWIMS); in Duluth, two were present at feeders 12/15-31 (fide, KE). Also reported on the Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls CBC's.
avian
information
1986-12-20Itasca12/20 Itasca (first winter record)
North east reports from Cook until 1/23 (KMH); in Lake Co. a female at Isabella until 1/8 and a male was present throughout January and February (SWIMS); in Duluth, two were present at feeders 12/15-31 (fide, KE). Also reported on the Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls CBC's.
avian
information
1986-12-20Otter Tail12/20 Otter Tail (first winter record)
North east reports from Cook until 1/23 (KMH); in Lake Co. a female at Isabella until 1/8 and a male was present throughout January and February (SWIMS); in Duluth, two were present at feeders 12/15-31 (fide, KE). Also reported on the Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls CBC's.
avian
information
1987-01-011987-02-31Lake1/1-2/31 Lake (first winter record)
North east reports from Cook until 1/23 (KMH); in Lake Co. a female at Isabella until 1/8 and a male was present throughout January and February (SWIMS); in Duluth, two were present at feeders 12/15-31 (fide, KE). Also reported on the Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls CBC's.
avian
information
1987-12-19Olmsted12/19 Olmsted (second winter record)
Reported on the Rochester CBC.
avian
information
1990-12-15Chisago12/15 Chisago (second winter record)
Reported on the Austin and Wild River CBCs; in a sheep feedlot in Clay 1/13 LCF (details?); and in Sherburne 2/16 RG (early migrant).
avian
information
1990-12-16Mower12/16 Mower (second winter record)
Reported on the Austin and Wild River CBCs; in a sheep feedlot in Clay 1/13 LCF (details?); and in Sherburne 2/16 RG (early migrant).
avian
information
1991-12-21Polk12/21 Polk (second winter record)
One overwintered at Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. fide MS. Also reported Roseau (details barely acceptable), Crookston (8!), and Baudette (count week, well documented) CBC's. Other reports were undocumented and unacceptable.
avian
information
1991-12-28Freeborn12/28 Freeborn (first winter record)
One overwintered at Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. fide MS. Also reported Roseau (details barely acceptable), Crookston (8!), and Baudette (count week, well documented) CBC's. Other reports were undocumented and unacceptable.
avian
information
1991-12-28Lake of the Woods12/28 Lake of the Woods (first winter record)
One overwintered at Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. fide MS. Also reported Roseau (details barely acceptable), Crookston (8!), and Baudette (count week, well documented) CBC's. Other reports were undocumented and unacceptable.
avian
information
1991-12-28Roseau12/28 Roseau (first winter record)
One overwintered at Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. fide MS. Also reported Roseau (details barely acceptable), Crookston (8!), and Baudette (count week, well documented) CBC's. Other reports were undocumented and unacceptable.
avian
information
1993-01-01Lake of the Woods1/1 Lake of the Woods (second winter record)
Reported on the Baudette CBC for the second year in a row.
avian
information
1993-12-18Olmsted12/18 Olmsted (third winter record)
Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
avian
information
1993-12-18Rice12/18 Rice (first winter record)
Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
avian
information
1993-12-18Steele12/18 Steele (second winter record)
Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
avian
information
1994-01-01Cottonwood1/1 Cottonwood (second winter record)
Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
avian
information
1994-01-02Roseau1/2 Roseau (second winter record)
Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
avian
information
1994-12-18Mower12/18 Mower (third winter record)
Only reports on the Long Prairie and Austin CBCs (neither with details). Although there are a few reports of this species each winter, only seldom are these documented.
avian
information
1995-02-02Todd2/2 Todd (first winter record)
Only reports on the Long Prairie and Austin CBCs (neither with details). Although there are a few reports of this species each winter, only seldom are these documented.
avian
information
1995-12-16Blue Earth12/16 Blue Earth (third winter record)
Reported until 2/2 Todd JSK and on the Mountain Lake-Windom and Wild River CBCs.
avian
information
1995-12-16Chisago12/16 Chisago (third winter record)
Reported until 2/2 Todd JSK and on the Mountain Lake-Windom and Wild River CBCs.
avian
information
1996-01-01Cottonwood1/1 Cottonwood (third winter record)
Reported until 2/2 Todd JSK and on the Mountain Lake-Windom and Wild River CBCs.
avian
information
1996-01-01Todd1/1 Todd (second winter record)
Reported until 2/2 Todd JSK and on the Mountain Lake-Windom and Wild River CBCs.
avian
information
1998-02-28Rice2/28 Rice (second winter record)
Only report: 2/28 Rice JL.
avian
information
1998-12-011999-02-28Crow Wingwinter Crow Wing (first winter record)
Overwintered in Crow Wing fide WN. Also reported on Excelsior CBC (2), early January Dakota fide AH, and 2/21 Dodge JSt. None of these reports had convincing details. [Corrected]
avian
information
1998-12-19Becker12/19 Becker (first winter record)
Overwintered in Crow Wing fide WN. Also reported on Excelsior CBC (2), early January Dakota fide AH, and 2/21 Dodge JSt. None of these reports had convincing details. [Corrected]
avian
information
1999-02-21Dodge2/21 Dodge (second winter record)
Overwintered in Crow Wing fide WN. Also reported on Excelsior CBC (2), early January Dakota fide AH, and 2/21 Dodge JSt. None of these reports had convincing details. [Corrected]
8:121936indexBrewer's Blackbird
24:1631952indexBrewer's Blackbird Colony on Minnesota Point, Duluth
58:50-511986indexFirst Nest Record for Brewer's Blackbirds in Clay County
59:51-521987indexLate Brewer's Blackbird at Duluth
72:1641999-12-181999-12-19Detroit LakesBecker(record #2000-02, vote 3–4). The bird's “brown/ gray” eyebrow and the “fairly short” tail as described are both more suggestive of 165 Fall 2000 the more likely Rusty Blackbird than a Brewer's. Any winter record of a Brewer's Blackbird, especially in northern Minnesota, would be exceptional and would need to be completely described and thoroughly preclude other possibilities, and the majority felt this documentation did not accomplish this. Not Accepted
avian
information
1999-12-18Becker12/18 Becker (second winter record)
Undocumented reports 12/18–1/22 from Stahl's Lake County Park, McLeod Co. DF (including 20 on the †Northwest McLeod CBC). Possible early migrants reported 2/29 Yellow Medicine (8) †RgS.
avian
information
1999-12-182000-01-22McLeod12/18-1/22 McLeod (first winter record)
Undocumented reports 12/18–1/22 from Stahl's Lake County Park, McLeod Co. DF (including 20 on the †Northwest McLeod CBC). Possible early migrants reported 2/29 Yellow Medicine (8) †RgS.
72:1642000-02-26Denmark Twp.Washington(record #2000-16, vote 2–5). Since reports of this species in northern states during winter have a long history of being erroneous, the majority of the committee feels that only records with flawless documentations should be accepted. In this report of a pair of Brewer's, the dark eye of the female is mentioned, but the described light conditions seemed unfavorable enough that a Rusty Blackbird's pale iris might appear dark. And the male is said to have had a “black head and dark greenish-blue body,” but this description is not entirely consistent with a male Brewer's and could fit a male Rusty in early spring just as well. Not Accepted
avian
information
2000-02-29Yellow Medicine2/29 Yellow Medicine (first winter record)
Undocumented reports 12/18–1/22 from Stahl's Lake County Park, McLeod Co. DF (including 20 on the †Northwest McLeod CBC). Possible early migrants reported 2/29 Yellow Medicine (8) †RgS.
avian
information
2001-12-14Redwood12/14 Redwood (first winter record)
avian
information
2002-12-12Redwood12/12 Redwood (second winter record)
avian
information
2003-12-20Steele12/20 Steele (third winter record)
avian
information
2003-12-27Roseau12/27 Roseau (third winter record)
avian
information
2004-12-18Cook12/18 Cook (third winter record)
avian
information
2005-12-18Mower12/18 Mower (fourth winter record)
No details 12/18 Mower (Austin CBC).
avian
information
2008-01-01Todd1/1 Todd (third winter record)
Two individuals were documented in Todd during the Long Prairie CBC.
avian
information
2012-12-15Rice12/15 Rice (third winter record)
One documented report: 12/15 Rice (5) †GHo.
avian
information
2017-02-25Lyon2/25 Lyon (first winter record)
First winter reports since 2012. Found in three counties, the highest number in 15 winters. Highly unusual midwinter report from St. Louis County: 1/16–26 (Duluth) ph. †PHS, †FJN, m.ob. South reports (without details) of likely early migrants: 2/25 Lyon (Amiret W.M.A.) GWe, 2/25 Meeker MJB.
avian
information
2017-02-25Meeker2/25 Meeker (first winter record)
First winter reports since 2012. Found in three counties, the highest number in 15 winters. Highly unusual midwinter report from St. Louis County: 1/16–26 (Duluth) ph. †PHS, †FJN, m.ob. South reports (without details) of likely early migrants: 2/25 Lyon (Amiret W.M.A.) GWe, 2/25 Meeker MJB.
avian
information
2017-06-25Olmsted6/25 Olmsted (fourth summer record)
Reported from every region except Southeast.
avian
information
2017-10-22Fillmore10/22 Fillmore (first fall record)
High counts 10/14 Kandiyohi (300) RAE, 11/5 Carver (250, Carver P.R.) JCy, 10/8 Clay (140) HeH, ShG. Late north 10/27 Douglas CNn, 11/25 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) † PBB (median 11/4). Late south 11/7 Cottonwood LHl, Faribault KEm, 11/8 Carver JCy, 11/12 Lac qui Parle KnM (median 11/13).
avian
information
2018-12-14Stevens12/14 Stevens (first winter record)
Reported for only the third time in past ten years from three western counties. All reports from mid-December: 12/14 Stevens CBC, 12/15 ph. Kensington CBC, 12/15 Lyon ph. NMe.
avian
information
2018-12-15Douglas12/15 Douglas (first winter record)
Reported for only the third time in past ten years from three western counties. All reports from mid-December: 12/14 Stevens CBC, 12/15 ph. Kensington CBC, 12/15 Lyon ph. NMe.
avian
information
2018-12-15Lyon12/15 Lyon (second winter record)
Reported for only the third time in past ten years from three western counties. All reports from mid-December: 12/14 Stevens CBC, 12/15 ph. Kensington CBC, 12/15 Lyon ph. NMe.
avian
information
2019-12-03Houston12/3 Houston (second winter record)
 Three reports of this species that is seen in approximately a third of winter seasons: 12/3 Houston (Brownsville Overlook) ebd, 12/14 Crookston CBC, 1/2 Todd ph REn, RLF.
avian
information
2019-12-14Polk12/14 Polk (third winter record)
 Three reports of this species that is seen in approximately a third of winter seasons: 12/3 Houston (Brownsville Overlook) ebd, 12/14 Crookston CBC, 1/2 Todd ph REn, RLF.
avian
information
2020-01-02Todd1/2 Todd (fourth winter record)
 Three reports of this species that is seen in approximately a third of winter seasons: 12/3 Houston (Brownsville Overlook) ebd, 12/14 Crookston CBC, 1/2 Todd ph REn, RLF.
avian
information
2020-10-27Fillmore10/27 Fillmore (second fall record)
Found in all regions, with reports from more counties north and south than in any fall season since at least 2000. High count 9/10 Grant (350, North Ottawa Impoundment) DFe, ebd. Late north 10/28 Clay DPW, 10/30 Otter Tail ebd, 11/3 Becker TKa (median 11/4). Late south 11/9 Sibley DFe, 11/13–14 Pipestone LVD, 11/19 Lac qui Parle WCM (median 11/13); also see winter report.
avian
information
2020-12-12McLeod12/12 McLeod (second winter record)
 Reported for third consecutive winter: 12/12 McLeod (Hutchinson Twp.) HHD.
avian
information
2022-06-022022-07-15Olmsted6/2, 7/15 Olmsted (fifth summer record)
Observed in all regions. High counts 6/25 Wilkin (58, Rothsay W.M.A.) MZa, 7/31 Roseau (40, MN 89) ebd.
avian
information
2022-12-18Mower12/18 Mower (fifth winter record)
Only report of this species that has been seen during five of the past ten winters: 12/18 Austin CBC (4).
 
 Breeds throughout but rare far south. Migrant throughout.

Notes:

The information in the above table comes from several different sources. The count in column 1 indicates which of the sources is considered the primary source.
'Accepted' MOURC entries from The MOURC Proceedings
'Not Accepted' or 'Rejected' MOURC entry from The MOURC Proceedings
Accepted MOU records assembled by David Cahlander
Sighting records for ()
Avian information from the occurrence maps, in dark red, assembled by Robert Janssen. Seasonal report for the species/season published in The Loon or The Flicker has been added.
Information from The Loon index assembled by Anthony Hertzel and David Cahlander