Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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BLACKBIRDS

Rusty Blackbird  Euphagus carolinus

WINTER:  Rare to Uncommon Resident.  Locally, Fairly Common to Very Common in some years.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Accidental.  One on 01 July 1954 in the company of other "blackbirds" (HKL) (Edeburn et al. 1960).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Common Migrant from mid-March to early May.  Late dates, 25 May 1969 (HS); 23 May 1954 (Edeburn et al. 1960); 11 May (Hall 1983).

 Fall:  Fairly Common Migrant from late October to late November.  Early dates, 25 October 2008 (WA, MG, DP); 26 October 1975 (HS); 02 November 2008 (WA, MG, DP); 09 November 2008 (GR); 11 November 1968 (HS, RS); 20 November 1966 (RS).

REMARKS:

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 26% of Counts.  Total Birds:  9,088.  Range:  1 to 8,000.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 67% of Counts.  Total Birds:  1,236.  Range:  1 to   500.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 63% of Counts.  Total Birds:  2,170.  Range:  1 to   803.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  3.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  3.5.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  1.2.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.8.