** Reply to note from Gene Hunn

> I'm curious if the Rusty Blackbird's bill differs systematically from that
> of Brewer's Blackbirds in being more sharply pointed. The bird I reported
> yesterday at the Two Rivers Unit north of Duvall struck me that way. The
> upper and lower margins of the bill seem quite straight in tapering to the
> point, while I believe Brewer's bills have more curvature to the culmen
> ridge. The tail of the Rusty also seemed relatively shorter than that of
> Brewer's. Otherwise the Rusty I saw had a yellow-white eye in a dark patch
> on a buffy head and showed much rufous-buff (hard to judge the color in the
> poor light) mottling or barring on the upper breast and upper sides, though
> the belly seemed solid black. Couldn't see the upper parts well.

Yes, Rusty's bill is noticeably slimmer than Brewer's, although comparative
experience is necessary to use this as a field mark. Actually, I would be
hesitant to recommend this as a diagnostic field mark since the difference is
conspicuous only when the two species are seen together. Supposedly, even the
rustiest variant of a basic-plumaged Brewer's "never" (hate that word) has rusty
in the greater upper wing coverts, whereas Rustys usually do.

- Jack



Jack Bowling
RR1-S14-C41
Prince George, BC
Canada
V2N 2H8
phone: (250) 963-7837
fax: (250) 963-7801
jbowling at direct.ca