Daily Archives: November 25, 2015

Don Torino’s Life in the Meadowlands: Time to Watch For The Rusty Blackbird

We have seen some great success stories in the birding world in recent years. The Bald Eagle has made a triumphant recovery from the edge of extinction, the Peregrine Falcon, once gone from the Eastern United States, has now returned, and the Osprey has become almost commonplace where it once had disappeared. Yet today there are many birds much less known that are in serious decline. But like an old birding colleague once told me, “It’s tough getting people excited about a blackbird”.

Although the big raptors like Eagles and falcons seem much more exciting and can more easily motivate people to protect them, the Rusty Blackbird lacks a press agent and gets little fanfare regarding its plight. But that does not lessen the fact that it is in serious trouble and can use our help.

Continue reading