Hi Tweets -

Gail Spitler mentions that they couldn't find reference to anything but
yellow eyes for Rusty Blackbird. The second edition of the National
Geographic Guide states that "Juveniles resemble winter adults but have
dark eyes". In checking, I notice that the 1st edition doesn't have this
statement. Also, The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, vol. 3, p.
298 mentions that "Juveniles in summer may have dark eyes". When we
first saw the bird with the dark eye it considerably puzzled us, but all
the other features were consistent with Rusty. That was one of the
reasons we studied it thoroughly. Later, when checking guides we found
the reference to dark eyes for juveniles. It is a continual learning
experience isn't it.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville Wa
bellasoc at isomedia.com