To the left is a common Grackle (one of many look-alikes) and to the right is the Rusty Blackbird

“Rusties” earn their name from their winter plumage, when their black feathers take on rust colored tips. Pictured above right is a male’s summer plumage.

Unfortunately, the spotlight is not on them for having spectacular coloration; but rather being one of the most steeply declining landbirds in North America, losing 85-95% of their population in just 40 years.

Their decline is proportional to their habitat loss. These birds breed in forest wetlands, swamps, and flooded woods. We need to work hard to restore this habitat, as Massachusetts is an important passage corridor for migrants. We know surprisingly little about their migration habits, breeding tendencies, and wintering grounds.

Where does our Wildlife Refuge come into play?

THE SPRING MIGRATION BLITZ- this is a three-year citizen science monitoring project that seeks to report any and all activity of the Rusty Blackbird to better understand them and to better understand where they could need help. This project is through rustyblackbird.org and is partnered with US Fish & Wildlife, Audubon Society, and many state game divisions. Massachusetts is noted as important for these birds now through the beginning of May. We will be documenting any and all passing migrants over this month.

What can you do?

Anyone can participate, and it is highly encouraged. Any observational data you can collect can be entered via eBird at ebird.org. It’s important that you report any and all sightings, and where you looked (even if you found NO rusties, it still helps the scientific process.) Report the data under the “Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz” option.