Behaviour of Rusty Blackbird

John B. Lewis

doi:10.2307/4076979

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

10.2173/bna.rusbla.02 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Michael L. Avery

Keyword(s):

Euphagus Carolinus ◽

Rusty Blackbird

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The benefits of using topographic features to predict climate-resilient habitat for migratory forest landbirds: An example for the Rusty Blackbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Canada Warbler

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/duz057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 122 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shannon Bale ◽

Karen F Beazley ◽

Alana Westwood ◽

Peter Bush

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Species Distribution ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Strong Association ◽

Breeding Habitat ◽

Important Predictor ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Topographic Features ◽

Precipitation Regimes ◽

Rusty Blackbird

Abstract Maintaining a functionally connected network of high-quality habitat is one of the most effective responses to biodiversity loss. However, the spatial distribution of suitable habitat may shift over time in response to climate change. Taxa such as migratory forest landbirds are already undergoing climate-driven range shifts. Therefore, patches of climate-resilient habitat (also known as “climate refugia”) are especially valuable from a conservation perspective. Here, we performed maximum entropy (Maxent) species distribution modeling to predict suitable and potentially climate-resilient habitat in Nova Scotia, Canada, for 3 migratory forest landbirds: Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), and Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis). We used a reverse stepwise elimination technique to identify covariates that influence habitat suitability for the target species at broad scales, including abiotic (topographic control of moisture and nutrient accumulation) and biotic (forest characteristics) covariates. As topography should be relatively unaffected by a changing climate and helps regulate the structure and composition of forest habitat, we posit that the inclusion of appropriate topographic features may support the identification of climate-resilient habitat. Of all covariates, depth to water table was the most important predictor of relative habitat suitability for the Rusty Blackbird and Canada Warbler, with both species showing a strong association with wet areas. Mean canopy height was the most important predictor for the Olive-sided Flycatcher, whereby the species was associated with taller trees. Our models, which comprise the finest-scale species distribution models available for these species in this region, further indicated that, for all species, habitat (1) remains relatively abundant and well distributed in Nova Scotia and (2) is often located in wet lowlands (a climate-resilient topographic landform). These findings suggest that opportunities remain to conserve breeding habitat for these species despite changing temperature and precipitation regimes.

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Sarcocystis in A Yellowthroat and A Rusty Blackbird

Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-1.3.36 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 36-36

Author(s):

L. N. LOCKE ◽

J. O. KNISLEY

Keyword(s):

Rusty Blackbird

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Retrospective Comparison of the Occurrence and Abundance of Rusty Blackbird in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories

Avian Conservation and Ecology ◽

10.5751/ace-00106-020103 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Craig S. Machtans ◽

Steven L. Van Wilgenburg ◽

Lindsay A. Armer ◽

Keith A. Hobson

Keyword(s):

Northwest Territories ◽

Retrospective Comparison ◽

Rusty Blackbird

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Rusty blackbird patch use during winter in suburban landscapes

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.1002/jwmg.21548 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 (8) ◽

pp. 1736-1745

Author(s):

Patricia J. Newell Wohner ◽

Robert J. Cooper ◽

Sara H. Schweitzer ◽

Russell S. Greenberg

Keyword(s):

Patch Use ◽

Rusty Blackbird

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Unseasonable Occurrence of the Rusty Blackbird in South Carolina

The Auk ◽

10.2307/4075446 ◽

1926 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 374-375

Author(s):

Alexander Sprunt,

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Rusty Blackbird

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Assessment of Rusty Blackbird Habitat Occupancy in the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland, Canada Using Forest Inventory Data

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d12090340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 340

Author(s):

Kathleen K. E. Manson ◽

Jenna P. B. McDermott ◽

Luke L. Powell ◽

Darroch M. Whitaker ◽

Ian G. Warkentin

Keyword(s):

Future Research ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Forest Resource ◽

Population Declines ◽

Inventory Data ◽

Red Squirrels ◽

Habitat Occupancy ◽

Resource Inventory ◽

Forest Resource Inventory ◽

Rusty Blackbird

Rusty blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus), once common across their boreal breeding distribution, have undergone steep, range-wide population declines. Newfoundland is home to what has been described as one of just two known subspecies (E. c. nigrans) and hosts some of the highest known densities of the species across its extensive breeding range. To contribute to a growing body of literature examining rusty blackbird breeding ecology, we studied habitat occupancy in Western Newfoundland. We conducted 1960 point counts across a systematic survey grid during the 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons, and modeled blackbird occupancy using forest resource inventory data. We also assessed the relationship between the presence of introduced red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), an avian nest predator, and blackbird occupancy. We evaluated 31 a priori models of blackbird probability of occurrence. Consistent with existing literature, the best predictors of blackbird occupancy were lakes and ponds, streams, rivers, and bogs. Red squirrels did not appear to have a strong influence on blackbird habitat occupancy. We are among the first to model rusty blackbird habitat occupancy using remotely-sensed landcover data; given the widespread availability of forest resource inventory data, this approach may be useful in conservation efforts for this and other rare but widespread boreal species. Given that Newfoundland may be a geographic stronghold for rusty blackbirds, future research should focus on this distinct population.

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