Bird Blow Flies and Rusty Blackbirds

Little is known about the ecology and phenology of P. shannoni. Existing data indicates that in eastern North America, this species most frequently infests open cup nests at least 3 m from the ground in forests dominated by deciduous trees, and American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are frequent hosts (Bennett and Whitworth 1992). Since Rusty Blackbirds typically nest within 3 m of the ground in forests dominated by spruce and fir, P. shannoni may be expanding into previously unoccupied habitat at the southeastern edge of the Rusty Blackbird’s breeding range.

Project Report: Bird Blow Flies and Rusty Blackbirds