The Rusty Blackbird is a boreal wetland specialist whose population has crashed by an estimated 85–90% since the 1960s — one of the steepest declines of any North American land bird. It is named for the rust-colored feather edges males wear in fall and winter, which wear away to reveal black breeding plumage. Causes of its decline remain poorly understood.
Best time to see a Rusty Blackbird
The best time to see a Rusty Blackbird is January–April, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,782 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Rusty Blackbird? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Rusty Blackbird sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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