Rusty Blackbird

Basic Description

The Rusty Blackbird is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 9-10 inches in length and weighing around 1.5 ounces. It is slightly smaller than its cousin, the Common Grackle. The male has an iridescent black plumage with rusty-brown feather edges on its wings and tail, while females have a more subdued brownish-black coloration.

Where To Find This Bird

Rusty Blackbirds are primarily found in the northern hemisphere of North America during breeding season which runs from May to August. They migrate south for winter to areas like Florida and Mexico. During migration periods they can be seen along the Atlantic coastal states as well as some inland locations such as Mississippi River Valley.

Habitat

These birds prefer wetland habitats such as swamps, bogs, marshes, and flooded forests but also frequent woodlands near water sources.

Food

Their diet consists mainly of insects – including beetles, caterpillars and other bugs; but also consumes berries , seeds , small vertebrates (such as crayfish) when available.

Cool Facts

One interesting fact about Rusty Blackbirds is that their population has been declining since the 1960s due to habitat loss especially in their breeding grounds . Other factors include pesticides use on crops which affect both their food source & nesting environment , climate change resulting in unpredictable weather patterns leading to unavailability of food supplies or destruction of breeding sites .

Another fascinating fact is that they are one of the few birds known to participate in “anting”. Anting involves rubbing ants all over their feathers allowing them access to formic acid secreted by ants which kills parasites living on feathers!