tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743688930480262404.post2733240954460710085..comments2023-12-17T06:43:50.848-05:00Comments on Pioneer Birding: MA - Rusty Blackbird or something else? - 11/02James P. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651871438764429809noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743688930480262404.post-23624346170806328512011-11-22T00:45:22.126-05:002011-11-22T00:45:22.126-05:00Nice find James--hard to get any detail on plumage...Nice find James--hard to get any detail on plumage or primary projection from the photos, but from your description, Brewer's is probably your best bet. If I'm not mistaken, BRBL and RUBLs are like starlings in that their "breeding plumage" is in fact the same plumage as their winter/non-breeding plumage. The feathers have rusty fringes when fresh and become glossy black as they wear.<br /><br />It is possible that a male Rusty could have a retarded moult for whatever reason and be retaining his "breeding plumage." On this other hand, he could have underwent his pre-basic moult on the breeding grounds and be nice and glossy already! [Over here in BC we occasionally see Pacific Golden-Plovers in full alternate plumage in December!] <br /><br />But I'd guess it's just a stray Brewer's--lots of interior west species popping up across the NE right now!Russell Canningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15881766538943245834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743688930480262404.post-73517796553107462132011-11-05T15:15:38.977-04:002011-11-05T15:15:38.977-04:00Another great sighting for the valley.Another great sighting for the valley.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173127478266831293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743688930480262404.post-38659954886074975372011-11-03T21:52:21.115-04:002011-11-03T21:52:21.115-04:00Hi Larry,
Yes, I could see its bill opening at ti...Hi Larry,<br /><br />Yes, I could see its bill opening at times but it was just too far away to hear anything over the Canada Geese, most of which were leaving at the time. You can imagine how noisy that was!<br /><br />All the feedback that I've had so far is pointing towards Brewer's. Let's hope that its relocated and photographed properly.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />JamesJames P. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651871438764429809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743688930480262404.post-44974561074069762732011-11-03T20:52:52.816-04:002011-11-03T20:52:52.816-04:00A very interesting bird. If only it would have vo...A very interesting bird. If only it would have vocalized.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173127478266831293noreply@blogger.com