North Louisiana Wildlife
Nonbreeding male rusty blackbird perched in a bare tree

Did you know that rusty blackbirds winter in small flocks with other blackbirds?

Rusty Blackbirds
at
a Glance

Nonbreeding male rusty blackbird perched in a bare tree

Key Features:

Male rusty blackbirds are glossy black birds with rusty edges on their feathers in winter. Females are gray-brown with rusty edges on their feathers in winter.

Least Concern - Population Decreasing

Habitat:

Forests, pond edges, and swamps

nesting habits:

Rusty blackbirds build bowl-shaped nests in shrubbery or trees out of grass, lichens, rotting plant matter, and twigs.

seasons rusty blackbirds are active in our area:

Winter

Diet:

Acorns, fruit, insects, and pine seeds

hunting Behavior:

Rusty blackbirds forage on the ground and in shallow water.

Commonly Confused With:

Brewer’s Blackbirds, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Common Grackles, and Red-Winged Blackbirds

Common grackle at the edge of shallow water

Rusty blackbirds are often confused with common grackles because both are black. Male common grackles have iridescent blue heads. Female common grackles are larger with longer tails and larger beaks.

Male brown-headed cowbird snacking on a bug on a sidewalk

Rusty blackbirds are often confused with male brown-headed cowbirds because both have glossy black bodies. Rusty blackbirds have black heads. Male brown-headed cowbirds have brown heads.

See rusty blackbirds @

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