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Rusty Blackbird Flock in yard/ are Brewer's possible??



     Had HUGE flock of Robins this AM, hundreds.  Then noticed  some other 
birds with them in one area.  Initially thought Cowbirds, but only for an 
instant.  Behaved differently (at least than the Cowbirds under my feeder in 
summertime) and were larger.  They were Rusty Blackbirds!  Somewhere between 
50-100.  
     Question:  Saw some individuals that had more solidly black wings, 
similar to the NG guide picture on P.441  of the fall variant male Brewer's.  
Is it really that easy to distinguish between the 2 species using this field 
mark.  Didn't see any rusty or buff coloring on the wing feather edges.  
Tried to compare bill size and shape but had a difficult time with that.  How 
likely or unlikely would it be to find the 2 in a winter flock together?  
thanks for any info,
Shelley Theye  
  

Shelley Theye
N. Chatham County, NC
Psbmt@aol.com