Bird Patch Club

Rusty Blackbirds are one of North America’s most intriguing and often overlooked songbirds. During the winter months, these birds show beautiful rusty-edged feathers across their dark plumage — the feature that gives them their name. Rusty Blackbirds are often found in wet woodlands, swamp edges, and shallow flooded forests where they forage for insects, small crustaceans, and seeds among the leaves and muddy water. In the coastal wetlands and forests around Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry, winter birders sometimes discover small flocks quietly feeding in flooded woods and along marsh edges. Their secretive behavior can make them challenging to spot, but finding one is always a rewarding moment for birdwatchers exploring the Lowcountry. Despite their beauty, Rusty Blackbird populations have declined dramatically over the past century, making every sighting an important reminder of the value of protecting healthy wetland habitats.

Celebrate this month’s bird with your Rusty Blackbird collectible patch, sticker, and photo card — all shipped directly to your mailbox through the Bird Patch Club!