Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

✨ Shiny — winter rarity
Winter only — roughly November through March✨ Shiny — winter rarity

The take

A declining winter specialist of flooded woods — a genuinely good find for the list.

How to ID it

  • Winter birds edged in rust with a pale yellow eye and buffy eyebrow
  • Slender, slightly decurved bill; breeding males glossy black
  • Flips over wet leaves while walking in flooded woods and swamp edges

Field marks at a glance

Size
medium
Head
rusty-edged dark with pale eye
Call
creaky rising squeal

Where & when

Winter only — roughly November through March

Learn more

Sources