Blackbird ID needed - Central Maryland. (pics attached) (1 Viewer)

[Terry O'Nolley]

Saw this today at Hughes' Hollow.

There were a mixed flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds surrounding us, but this fellow (and a few more more similar to this one) were closer to the ground and in lower, denser thickets than the Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds that stayed up in the trees.

The default answer would be "must just be another Common Grackle!" but this one struck me different enough that I took several pics of it.

I have my ideas, but don't want to influence anyone else's opinion.

 

[steveo]

The tough ones are the first and last the middle three are common grackles, I think the birds in question are male Brewers blackbirds male Rusty bbs have dark eyes. I think these look male, both female rusty and brewers have yellow eyes. I am going from fieldguides only so I could be completely wrong.

 

[birdpotter]

The first one looks a lot like a Brown-headed Cowbird. The last, just because of your location, eye color and shape of bill, I am thinking Rusty Blackbird.
And I don't think the three in the middle fit the profile of Common Grackles. I would say they are Rusty too-especially if the shots are of the same bird!

 

[prairiemerlin]

These are all Rusty Blackbirds. In winter, all Rusty Blackbirds show brownish heads and underparts, but lose the brown in the spring.

 

[Terry O'Nolley]

THanks all - I had "provisionally" ticked Rusty Blackbird but didn't want to influence the discussion too much - other than to say that this bird - and a few other like it - didn't mingle at the treetops where all the common grackles were. They stayed in the undergrowth and just didn't look like Common Grackles - tail was definitely shorter. And the bill seemed a bit short for Brewers (and I have seen tons of Brewer's in California). I wanted to get some confirmation because this would be a lifer tick for me.

 

[birdpotter]

These are all Rusty Blackbirds. In winter, all Rusty Blackbirds show brownish heads and underparts, but lose the brown in the spring.

Learned something new with the brownish heads and all...good good.
Neil, your avatar is freaking me out.

 

[prairiemerlin]

Terry,

Great that this is a life bird. I typically see Rusties rummaging around in wet leaf litter, as your photos show.

Birdpotter, sorry if my avatar is... striking... it's a close up of a Wood Duck eye. I like to shock people.... :eek!: