Diet
What do rusty blackbirds eat?
Aquatic insects and seeds from wooded swamps.
Blackbirds (Icteridae)Rusty BlackbirdEuphagus carolinus
Spring and summer diet
- Caddisflies, dragonfly larvae and snails
Fall and winter diet
- Acorns, waste grain and seeds
Best feeder foods
- Cracked corn
- Millet (on the ground near wet woods)
One of North America's steepest declines — down over 85%. Report sightings to help track its recovery.
Where rusty blackbirds need winter food
Regions where rusty blackbirds are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do rusty blackbirds eat?
Aquatic insects and seeds from wooded swamps.
What is the best food to feed rusty blackbirds?
Cracked corn, Millet (on the ground near wet woods).
What do rusty blackbirds eat in winter?
Acorns, waste grain and seeds.
Sources
- Rusty Blackbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rusty Blackbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rusty Blackbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.