Shiny Cowbird or Rusty Blackbird ?

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

There's more to learn about Shiny Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

How to recognise a rusty blackbird?

General appearance

Rusty Blackbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with striking seasonal changes in plumage. In winter, they exhibit a distinctive rusty-edged appearance with rusty or rufous edges to their dark feathers, and pale yellow eyes. In summer, their feathers become mostly black or dark brown, losing the rusty edges. They have slender, slightly curved bills and relatively long tails, which are typical traits of blackbirds.

Male vs female

Males in breeding plumage are glossy black with greenish or bluish iridescence, whereas females are more subdued with dark gray or brownish plumage. During the non-breeding season, both sexes look similar with rust-colored feather edges; however, males often display richer, darker hues than females, who maintain a slightly browner overall appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Rusty Blackbirds have a more uniformly brown coloration compared to adults, lacking the glossy adult sheen. They are primarily a dull brown with streaked underparts and dark eyes, distinguishing them from adults whose eyes are pale yellow. As they mature, juveniles gradually acquire the adult plumage patterns and eye color.

Size

8.3 - 9.8 in/1.6 - 2.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The rusty blackbird primarily prefers wet northern coniferous forests with many lakes and bogs, and muskeg regions, particularly during breeding season.

Additional range

In migration and winter, it frequents areas with trees near water, such as wooded swamps and river groves. Unexpectedly, it can also be found foraging in open fields and cattle feedlots alongside other blackbirds.

Range Map

What do rusty blackbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The rusty blackbird primarily consumes insects and seeds. Its diet mainly includes insects like aquatic caddisflies, mayflies, dragonflies, and water beetles, as well as land insects such as grasshoppers. Additionally, it eats snails, crustaceans, small fish, and small salamanders. It also feeds on seeds and waste grain, particularly in winter months, and occasionally berries.

Bird feeders

Rusty blackbirds are not frequent visitors to bird feeders. When they do visit, they may eat seeds and grains found in common bird food mixes.

What does a rusty blackbird sound like?

The Rusty Blackbird produces distinctive vocalizations similar to the squeaks of a rusty gate. Its sharp call note, referred to as a "check", varies in pattern: sometimes falling, sometimes rising. The vocal types of this bird are diverse, encompassing a variety of sounds such as buzzes, chatters, chirps or chips, trills, and whistles. This range makes its calls and songs unique and easily recognizable.

Call

Audio by Richard E. Webster

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

There's more to learn about Rusty Blackbird

Shiny Cowbird

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Rusty Blackbird

Shiny Cowbird

Molothrus bonariensis

General appearance

The shiny cowbird is a small, compact bird with a slender build and short tail. It typically measures about 18-20 cm in length. The species is characterized by a sharp, conical bill and relatively long legs, making it well-adapted for its perching lifestyle. The bird's plumage is typically glossy and has an iridescent quality, especially in good lighting.

Male vs female

Male shiny cowbirds are strikingly glossy with a deep purple to black sheen that catches the light and appears shiny. In contrast, females are less visually stunning, with duller brownish plumage that can occasionally have faint streaks; this more subdued coloration helps them blend into their surroundings. Both genders have similar body shapes, but these coloration differences are the most distinctive feature between them.

Juvenile

Juvenile shiny cowbirds resemble females but are even less glossy, with more muted brown feathers and often with streaks or speckles. Their plumage lacks the iridescent sheen seen in adults, making them harder to identify from afar. Juveniles can sometimes appear somewhat scruffy as they transition to adult plumage over successive molts.

Size

6.7 - 8.7 in/1.1 - 2.3 oz

There's more to learn about Shiny Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

General appearance

Rusty Blackbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with striking seasonal changes in plumage. In winter, they exhibit a distinctive rusty-edged appearance with rusty or rufous edges to their dark feathers, and pale yellow eyes. In summer, their feathers become mostly black or dark brown, losing the rusty edges. They have slender, slightly curved bills and relatively long tails, which are typical traits of blackbirds.

Male vs female

Males in breeding plumage are glossy black with greenish or bluish iridescence, whereas females are more subdued with dark gray or brownish plumage. During the non-breeding season, both sexes look similar with rust-colored feather edges; however, males often display richer, darker hues than females, who maintain a slightly browner overall appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Rusty Blackbirds have a more uniformly brown coloration compared to adults, lacking the glossy adult sheen. They are primarily a dull brown with streaked underparts and dark eyes, distinguishing them from adults whose eyes are pale yellow. As they mature, juveniles gradually acquire the adult plumage patterns and eye color.

Size

8.3 - 9.8 in/1.6 - 2.8 oz

There's more to learn about Rusty Blackbird

How to tell the Shiny Cowbird from the Rusty Blackbird

Visual differences

The Shiny Cowbird is smaller (7-8.5 inches) with a conical bill and strikingly glossy, iridescent plumage in males, typically a deep purple-black, while females have duller brown tones. In contrast, the Rusty Blackbird is larger (8.5-10 inches), has a slightly curved bill, and features seasonal plumage changes: rusty-edged dark feathers in winter, glossy black with iridescence in male summer plumage, and pale yellow eyes. Cowbirds have short tails; Rusty Blackbirds have long tails, aiding in identification.

Key differences and behavior

The Shiny Cowbird and Rusty Blackbird exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological differences. Shiny Cowbirds are brood parasites, laying eggs in other birds' nests, unlike Rusty Blackbirds that build their nests in dense cover near water. Rusty Blackbirds are often found in wet northern forests, while Shiny Cowbirds inhabit semi-open or coastal regions. Diet-wise, Shiny Cowbirds in tropical areas primarily consume insects and seeds, whereas Rusty Blackbirds favor aquatic insects, seeds, and small animals. Shiny Cowbirds display unique preening behaviors, whereas Rusty Blackbirds join small flocks and use harsh songs in spring. These aspects help distinguish the two species in the field.

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