I know that Rusty Blackbirds are supposed to be in decline  However, 
presently small flocks
can be seen  commonly in Hughes Hollow flying and alit in bare trees. 
Flocks I see now are single specie of perhaps twenty birds. They are usually 
in the west impoundment and in the swampy area to the south. This also was 
the case last year and the year before.  I've also seen them similarly at 
Viollete's lock.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philip S Brody" <>
To: "Derek C. Richardson" <>; 
<>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 1:28 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] CONSENSUS Re: [MDOSPREY] Help with bird ID?


> You can rule out Brewer's blackbird which would be rare in this area at 
> anytime. However according to the bird books they differ in that the Rusty 
> Blackbird has a longer bill that is somewhat decurved, a shorter tail and 
> is less glossy. All this can be seen in your photos. The males do both 
> however have white eyes distinguishing them from Red-winged Blackbird with 
> epaulets somehow obscured. Common Grackle is larger and longer tailed and 
> clearly iridescent.
>
> Phil Brody
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Derek C. Richardson" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:19 PM
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] CONSENSUS Re: [MDOSPREY] Help with bird ID?
>
>
>> OK, the strong consensus is that the bird featured here:
>>
>>    http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/xfer/Unknown/
>>
>> is a male RUSTY BLACKBIRD, which, needless to say, is a yard bird (#99!). 
>> :)  (Laurel MD, PG County.)  One question was whether it could be a 
>> Brewer's.  It would be nice to definitively rule that out, if possible?
>>
>> Thanks for everyone's help!!  Nice bird for the CBC. :)
>>
>> D
>>
>> -- 
>> Derek C. Richardson, Laurel, PG County, MD
>> http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/Archives/Photos/birds.html
>>
>