BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, FLORAL CLOCK GROUNDS, NIAGARA FALLS, ON, 8/14/15

   We have identified this bird as a Brewer's Blackbird vs. a Rusty Blackbird as follows:

• The bill is thick, unlike the thin bill of the Rusty Blackbird
• The end of the tail is rough looking, rather than the smooth looking tail of the Rusty Blackbird

   This is probably a male in nonbreeding plumage.  Generally the Brewer's Blackbird transforms from breeding to nonbreeding plumage in August.

   This is a new species for our Life List, which now stands at 145.