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Rusty Blackbird
[Euphagus carolinus]
[Length 9 in. Wingspan 14 in.]
Rusty Blackbirds breed in the far north from Alaska across most of Canada, just barely reaching into the northeastern US.
In winter they occur throughout much of the eastern and southern US.
Males in breeding plumage are easily distinguished from other blackbirds by their yellow eyes (although the Brewer's Blackbird also has yellow eyes), overall black plumage with only a slight greenish gloss, and from grackles by their shorter "blackbird" bills and tails.
Rusty Blackbirds get their name from their winter plumage, which has rich, dark rusty tones.
This male Rusty Blackbird in breeding plumage was photographed near Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film.
(Date: May 1988)
(use image name "blkru" for inquiries)
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