SPECIAL SECTION: RANGEWIDE ECOLOGY OF THE DECLINING RUSTY BLACKBIRD / RUSTY BLACKBIRD: MYSTERIES OF A SPECIES IN DECLINE.

The article presents the findings of a study of the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group on the factors that influenced the decline in population of Rusty Blackbird. According to survey, the rates of population decline range from nearly 5-12% annually. It says that while the bird relies on wooded wetlands, the loss or destruction of these habitats is a major factor. It adds that global warming and environmental contamination in the boreal zone may have affected the breeding populations.