Over the past years there has been an 88-98 percent drop in the population of the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus). This lesser-known blackbird was formerly an incredibly abundant bird and this decline in population is one of the most drastic in North America.
Last spring, eBird tracked Rusty Blackbird populations during spring migration and found much useful information from the data.
The program was enough to realize that a more in-depth study would be successful. Birders across North America can track Rusty Blackbirds for the Rusty Blackbird Working Group through eBird during fall migration.
Rusty Blackbirds have a cool song, somewhat like a rusty door hinge. They are found in wet areas of forest or swamps but also in flooded farm fields. They can be somewhat tricky to identify, which is another reason to learn them and then report sightings if you can.
The more we can track the population decline of the Rusty Blackbird, the better we can manage its recovery. Citizen Science is proving to be one of the most useful tools for monitoring declining populations and finding out key information that eventually helps learn how to manage and restore key habitat.