The Rusty Blackbird is usually found breeding in from Alaska and across the northern Canadian provinces to Newfoundland. But it flies to the eastern US to winter. In its journey south in the fall, it is rarely seen in the West Kootenay. But, it has been seen here occasionally.
Yesterday, I would have just walked by a pond where a Rusty Blackbird was feeding. I failed to spot it in the distance, but did spot someone standing on an adjacent bank with a scope. Well, there must be something interesting on the other side, and so I paused and walked to the observer. He pointed out the blackbird. For a half-hour we watched it work its way along and gradually got somewhat closer.
Formerly abundant, this bird has undergone a major decline, for reasons that are not well understood, but habitat loss is likely a significant contributor.
The Rusty Blackbird walked the pond slowly looking for things to eat below the water surface. It generally would find and swallow something when its bill was in the water, but on this occasion, it brought up a beetle.
It then would continue its search for food. This is a male in its non-breeding plumage.
Nice find, Alistaire