Canada- Central Alberta October 2 (1 Viewer)

[KhostAdenplusmore]

Hello,
I photographed a bird today which has me a bit puzzled.
It landed for a few moments near the top of a large spruce tree, in a rural agricultural area. My initial impression was "Say's Pheobe", but as I examine the three photos I took, it seems to have a quite obvious dark eye-line which makes me question that ID, and I am considering if it might be a Vireo. Ideas?
Thanks, z.

 

[Indobirder]

Looks better for a Mountain Bluebird perhaps?

 

[Butty]

One bluebird or another.

 

[KhostAdenplusmore]

AHA! Thanks for your inputs.

 

[KenM]

The nearest I can get to this image, thinking that the dark area below the belly is shadow? Why not a Northern Wheatear?

Cheers

 

[KhostAdenplusmore]

The nearest I can get to this image, thinking that the dark area below the belly is shadow? Why not a Northern Wheatear?

Cheers

Northern Wheatear would be very rare in this location (central Alberta, Canada), so I am putting that aside

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm leaning towards Bluebird.

 

[RafaelMatias]

Brewer's Blackbird?

 

[Butty]

Brewer's Blackbird?

All plumages of that species are very different from this bird.

 

[RafaelMatias]

All plumages of that species are very different from this bird.

I disagree. And bill structure and proportions are those of a Blackbird sp.

 

[Butty]

bill structure and proportions are those of a Blackbird sp.

I disagree.

 

[AveryBartels]

This appears to be a Rusty Blackbird, RafaelMatias is spot on that the structure is off for a Bluebird. In addition to what he mentions, the primary extension on a Bluebird would be significantly longer. Having a bit of a mask, is not uncommon for this time of year and is another point against Bluebird.

 

[Indobirder]

What appears to be a light eye is also better for Blackbird.

 

[RafaelMatias]

I'm a bit surprised there haven't been more opinions on this thread, one way or another. I've been offline since my post above and only now I'm seeing both supporting reactions to my Blackbird suggestion (which I still think is right).

 

[Butty]

I'm a bit surprised there haven't been more opinions on this thread

There's lots.

 

[RafaelMatias]

There's lots.

?

 

[tom baxter]

This appears to be a Rusty Blackbird, RafaelMatias is spot on that the structure is off for a Bluebird. In addition to what he mentions, the primary extension on a Bluebird would be significantly longer. Having a bit of a mask, is not uncommon for this time of year and is another point against Bluebird.

Before reading any comments, I went through the same candidates being discussed in this thread. My mind first went to Mountain Bluebird, but I discounted it after a brief consideration on the length and thickness of the bill. After reading the discussion, I think the comments on primary projection are an even stronger point against bluebird than anything I had deduced on my own. I would have guessed this to be Brewer’s>Rusty by bill shape. The culmen looks pretty straight to me. What points favor Rusty>Brewers Blackbird ?

 

[RafaelMatias]

I would have guessed this to be Brewer’s>Rusty by bill shape. The culmen looks pretty straight to me. What points favor Rusty>Brewers Blackbird ?

I'd think the dark eye (if true) rules out Rusty (in this I disagree with Indobirder above). Habitat seems also better for Brewers. Bill shape is a bit awkward to figure out from this angle, maybe not possible from these pics.

 

[AveryBartels]

I'm not sure I trust bill shape/size or apparent eye colour from these images. I'm on the fence actually between Rusty v Brewer's. It seems pretty dull, lacking the warmer tones typical of rusty but on the other hand, the pronounced supercilium and seeming darker lores/eye line are more in line with Rusty. As to habitat, at this time of year Rusty often join other blackbirds in agricultural areas so that's not overly useful

 

[KhostAdenplusmore]

Thanks so very much for the inputs about this bird. I week later I did see a group of Rusty Blackbirds in very near location to this site. This particular bird does not seem to have the most obvious plumage to distinguish it between Rusty or Brewers, so I have listed it as Rusty/Brewers Blackbird for now