Hi all,
Today while conducting the 82nd Toronto Christmas Bird Count (what a
wet one!), Ken McIlwrick discovered a non-breeding plumage Brewer's
Blackbird at a feeder in Pine Hills Cemetery. We watched the bird for
close to half an hour as it fed on seeds below the feeder in the rain.
We were able to take a few digital photos of the bird but the images
were less than perfect under the conditions. We were also able to
capture some video footage which turned out better.
Needless to say, we were quite surprised to come across this species.
Neither of us have ever seen one in this plumage before. Amongst
others field marks, we noted the following: Almost entirely black
coloured bird, slightly smaller and more slender than a Robin, white
or pale yellow eye, pale (greyish?) supercilium mostly behind eye,
pale greyish throat, scalloped looking along its bottom margin. The
remained of the bird appeared evenly black with no pale feather edging
evident on the nape, wings or belly. No rufous tones could be seen. It
also had a sharply pointed bill that appeared not quite as finely
tipped as a Rusty but this required a good view. The bird regularly
raised its tail both in the adjacent shrubs and trees as well as on
the ground while feeding. It also called often, a dry but abrupt
"theck" call (or some similar wording).
Pine Hills Cemetery is in the eastern part of Toronto. It is bounded
by Birchmount Road to the west, St. Clair Avenue East to the south,
and Kennedy Road to the east. There are two entrances into the
cemetery, one off of Birchmount Road and one off of Kennedy Road. To
find the feeder, come in from the east (Kennedy) and proceed down the
hill and across the bridge. Immediately after the bridge take the
first right and proceed up the hill adjacent to Taylor Creek. Go about
100 m or so and look for the feeder on the right hand side of the
road. We parked just before the feeder and watched as it came and
went. When startled, it occasionally flew off to the right into the
trees in the valley above the creek. If you listen carefully you might
even hear its call note from that direction. Also, with a little
patience and a proper telephoto camera, some half decent photographs
could probably taken if our experience was any indication.
Good luck!
Karl Konze
Guelph, Ontario
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