Thanks to everyone who replied either by email or on my website. The consensus is that the blackbird was a Brewer's (BRBL) and not a Rusty (RUBL) for good reason. That being that RUBL are rather rare in these parts. A couple of responders did note that it is quite difficult to tell the two males in breeding plumage apart.

I'm trying to figure out why I went with the RUBL. I thought the illustrations of the RUBL in breeding plumage in both Sibley and the National Geographic guide look more like my bird. The Natl Geo guide also points out that the BRBL has a curved culmen, which I don't see on my bird, but that could be the angle of the image, and how curved is "curved" anyway? Finally, the fact that a few RUBL were spotted awhile back in Carnation, not all that far from Issaquah (as the crow files ;-) led me to pick RUBL.

However, I understand that if you can't rule out the more common species, and I can't in this case, the best ID is to go with the more common bird. And that I'll do, happily.

I did see him again very briefly this morning...no pics however. I'm hoping he hangs around for awhile, and maybe brings a lady friend by, which would confirm the ID, one way or the other.

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Kevin Klasman
Issaquah, WA
www.pbase.com/kklasman



-------------- Original message --------------
From: Guy McWethy <lguy_mcw at yahoo.com>

> Kevin,
> Good call on the siskins. Note small, pointed bill.
> On other finches, the bill is more robust, and the
> joining of the 2 mandibles (I know there is a term for
> this, but it escapes me right now!) is down-turned on
> House and Purple Finches, and straight on the Siskins.
> Also, the yellow on the wings (sometimes as
> wing-bars, more often as edging) is diagnostic of
> Siskin. They are also smaller than the other finches.
> Heavily streaked breast distinguishs them from
> Goldfinches.
> The Blackbird - I would have to say Brewer's. Now
> ID'ing Male Brewers versus Rusty IS very tough in
> breeding plumage, but Brewers are MUCH more common,
> and I do not think I could eliminate this bird as aa
> Brewer's to turn it into a Rusty. The female Rusty is
> actually easier to ID. A female Brewer's has dark
> eyes, while a female Rusty has the same white eye as
> the male Rusty! (or is that reversed? Dang, need to
> check my books again!)
>
> Nice pics!
> Guy
>
> --- kk4sites at comcast.net wrote:
>
> > Hello Tweeters,
> >
> > The images referred to herein can be seen at
> > http://pbase.com/kklasman/id_help
> >
> > I'm a novice birder and could use some confirmation
> > on a couple of new sightings of mine. First is what
> > I think are Pine Siskins. When I first saw them I
> > thought they were Goldfinches, which we see at our
> > feeder regularly. But after I took these photos and
> > consulted Sibley, I think they're Pine Siskins. I
> > know they're not uncommon around here, but I've
> > never ID'ed them before.
> >
> > Second is what I think is a male Rusty Blackbird in
> > breeding plumage. From my second floor window, I saw
> > him land on my tray feeder. I ran downstairs to
> > where I have my camera setup aimed at the feeders.
> > While I didn't get him on the feeder, I did manage 2
> > shots of him on a nearby tree before he took off. He
> > seems more slender than a red-winged Blackbird, and
> > he has no wing bars. I never seen one like him
> > before, and I guess they're somewhat uncommon around
> > Issaquah.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any comfirmation, or
> > corrections offered.
> >
> > Kevin Klasman
> > Issaquah, WA
> > mailto:kk4sites at comcast.net>
> _______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> >
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
> >
>
>
> Guy McWethy
> Renton, WA
> mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com
>
>
>
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