[Ontbirds] Brewer's Blackbird - Pine Hills Cemetery, Toronto (23 Dec 2007)

[Karl & Kathy Konze]

Hi all,

Today while conducting the 82nd Toronto Christmas Bird Count (what a  
wet one!), Ken McIlwrick discovered a non-breeding plumage Brewer's  
Blackbird at a feeder in Pine Hills Cemetery. We watched the bird for  
close to half an hour as it fed on seeds below the feeder in the rain.  
We were able to take a few digital photos of the bird but the images  
were less than perfect under the conditions. We were also able to  
capture some video footage which turned out better.

Needless to say, we were quite surprised to come across this species.  
Neither of us have ever seen one in this plumage before. Amongst  
others field marks, we noted the following: Almost entirely black  
coloured bird, slightly smaller and more slender than a Robin, white  
or pale yellow eye, pale (greyish?) supercilium mostly behind eye,  
pale greyish throat, scalloped looking along its bottom margin. The  
remained of the bird appeared evenly black with no pale feather edging  
evident on the nape, wings or belly. No rufous tones could be seen. It  
also had a sharply pointed bill that appeared not quite as finely  
tipped as a Rusty but this required a good view. The bird regularly  
raised its tail both in the adjacent shrubs and trees as well as on  
the ground while feeding. It also called often, a dry but abrupt  
"theck" call (or some similar wording).

Pine Hills Cemetery is in the eastern part of Toronto. It is bounded  
by Birchmount Road to the west, St. Clair Avenue East to the south,  
and Kennedy Road to the east. There are two entrances into the  
cemetery, one off of Birchmount Road and one off of Kennedy Road. To  
find the feeder, come in from the east (Kennedy) and proceed down the  
hill and across the bridge. Immediately after the bridge take the  
first right and proceed up the hill adjacent to Taylor Creek. Go about  
100 m or so and look for the feeder on the right hand side of the  
road. We parked just before the feeder and watched as it came and  
went. When startled, it occasionally flew off to the right into the  
trees in the valley above the creek. If you listen carefully you might  
even hear its call note from that direction. Also, with a little  
patience and a proper telephoto camera, some half decent photographs  
could probably taken if our experience was any indication.

Good luck!

Karl Konze
Guelph, Ontario