This is quite a common bird, but here's a handsome specimen. This is the common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula. It's a large bird, larger than a robin with a long tail that seems attached at an odd angle. They like to walk around lawns searching for insects and grubs. They eat just about anything.
Another familiar name for this bird is the bronze grackle. The head is iridescent purple, but the body is that brownish, bronze color.
Grackles are related to blackbirds, meadowlarks, and crows. Although they aren't high quality birds, I enjoy watching them because of the iridescent coloring and odd tails which they turn sideways like a keel while flying. Females don't have the purple heads, and may not turn their tails.
 | See Grackle Taking a Bath |
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4 comments:
I love your excellent picture of this grackle. They've been swarming all around here for awhile. I kind of like watching their goofy walk that they do along the lawns. I've gotten some decent pictures, but none as beautiful as this one.
I enjoy watching the grackles around here. I haven't seen the term "quality bird" before. What does that mean?
i also enjoy watching the grackles. In addition to this bird, in Texas we have the great tailed grackle. A bit larger, similar habits.
The Grackle looks like a real character.
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