Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler, 1829)Reviewable (MD/DCRC)    Synonyms: BRBL.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Passeriformes   >   Family Icteridae   >   Genus Euphagus   

Status:

A rare visitor from the west that seems to have declined as a vagrant in recent years. It was recently re-added to the MD/DCRC review list.

Here is a summary of records from Bob Ringler:
1960-1969 - 6 records
1970-1979 - 25 (with 13 in 1977-1979)
1980-1989 - 5 (all in 1981-1985)
1990-1999 - 25 (with 11 in 1991-1992)
2000-2009 - 40 (with 10 in 2008)
2010 - 2
2011 - 0
2012 - 0
2013 - 0

Where to find:

Among winter blackbird flocks, especially on the lower Eastern Shore.

There are 41 records in the project database.

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Brewer's Blackbird in Baltimore Co., Maryland (1/29/2023). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Tim Frye via iNaturalist.

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A Brewer's Blackbird in Grayling, Michigan (5/28/2012). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

A male Brewer's Blackbird at Apollo Park, California (10/4/2011). Due to the decline in recent records of this species, it was added back to the Maryland review list in early 2012. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Brewer's Blackbird in Baltimore Co., Maryland (1/29/2023). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A female Brewer's Blackbird in southern California in March 2004. Dark irises (appearing dark) are a strong supporting feature for female Brewer's Blackbird. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)(More of this species)

Brewer's Blackbird in Baltimore Co., Maryland (1/29/2023). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A comparison of male Brewer's Blackbird (above) and Rusty Blackbird (below). View more Smithsonian specimen photos Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Brewer's Blackbird in Baltimore Co., Maryland (2/26/2021). (c) tomfeild, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tom Feild. (MBP list)

A male Brewer's Blackbird in flight in Salem Co., New Jersey (4/1/2013). Photo by Tom Johnson. (MBP list)

Brewer's Blackbird in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/6/2021). (c) Matt Felperin, some rights reserved (CC BY). Photo by Matt Felperin via iNaturalist. (MBP list)


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