21 October 2013. Cayuga ON. The mad dash south continues. At the bird observatory, aerial swirls of Cedar Waxwings, tumbling hordes of Red-winged Blackbirds and chattering swarms of European Starlings were joined by anxious drifts of Rusty Blackbirds today. Three of us, sharp-eyed all, did the daily census and stood in awe of a busy flock of Red-winged Blackbirds feasting in the now seedy expanses of goldenrod. At an unseen prompt they rose, en masse, clucking in agreement and swept up into a nearby stand of Scots Pine to carry on their banter. Between us we agreed on a count of 300, but really had no idea – there was just loads of them.
As we came to a colourful band of Sugar Maple and White Oak forest, a small group of blackbirds fled at the sight of us. Eric exclaimed “Rusty Blackbird!” and then explained a little later that they’re one of his favourite birds although he wasn’t quite sure why. I sympathize because I put Warbling Vireos at the very pinnacle of my birding delights, and it’s not on account of their feathered splendour. Actually I think it’s because of their quintessential song of high summer. Eric ventured that the Rusty Blackbird is a gorgeous bird up close, particularly the male whose rustyness is really an iridescent gold. Well we never did get close, they are quite skittish and maintained a very healthy distance between them and us and, try as I might, I could not get a decent photograph of one. This photo of Rusty Blackbirds was taken last spring when I came upon a group in the upper levels of some swamp-bound trees.
Eric’s comments of appreciation reinforced my feeling and reaction that Rusty Blackbirds were Bird of the Day.