Following up on Warren Bielenberg's post from earlier this week, I went to the
pastures at the horse and buggy ride concession in Cades Cove and located a
single male Brewer's Blackbird in a flock of about 65 Red-winged Blackbirds.
The flock was perched high in a hardwood above the wet pasture and would all
fly down to a hay spread and feed for a while, then fly back to the same tree.
It was easily separated from the redwings, and could be distinguished from
Rusty Blackbird by its overall glossy plumage with no rusty edging and a
smaller straighter bill. I was able to get a few mediocre photos but when I was
there, it was 32 degrees, windy, and snowing! Great birding weather!
I'm sure this is the same single bird the Hoffs saw earlier in the day.
Keith Watson Pittman Center TN
Keith Watson
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
