Common Grackle

Learning to identify birds is a huge challenge. I never imagined that there were so many different birds and so many different seasonal changes. I decided to illustrate this point with pictures of a Common Grackle. (Some refer to this bird as the Purple Grackle.) This image was shot in Arkansas in early July and shows a head of more purple than blue. Its back has a purple and bronze color which separates this bird from the Brewer's Blackbird. They can look very similar but the Brewer's is supposed to have a darker and more shiny coat on its back parts.

The beak of the Common Grackle is also bigger, longer and sharper than the Brewer's Blackbird. If I ever find one, I will post the pictures side by side.

This picture of the Common Grackle was taken in May at Forest Pond in Goulds. The fresh Spring colors are vibrant and blue/green, not purple; yet, this is a Common Grackle. There is a strong similarity in the color of the wings and tail between both birds pictured here.

Now, to complicate things even more, this is a Common Grackle photographed on the Southern Shore of Newfoundland in April. Is it any wonder that I struggle with identification? The same bird never looks the same!

I am continuing to collect images of the same birds so that I can more closely study the changes that the birds undergo through the seasons. There is breeding plumage, winter plumage, summer plumage, fall plumage, and molting all complicated by the gender and the age of the bird. I wonder if I will ever get it all? or even part?

Common Grackle

In April I posted a picture of a Common Grackle but it hadn't attained its full Spring colors yet. I came upon two Common Grackles at Forest Pond in Goulds and was astounded by the color.

I have seen many Grackles before, but in my mind I considered them a nuisance and didn't really enjoy the color and shape of them.

This is a perfect specimen of the bluish/purplish head with the deep bronze back. The pale yellow eye is clear and the large beak is prominent.

The two Grackles flitting around the pond were a bit skittish but did stay still long enough for me to get shots from about 15 to 20 feet away. I tried to get closer!

Every time I moved too close, this is what happened - they took off. I didn't want to disturb them too much so I just took a few pictures and went on my way.

I spotted the tail of this bird in flight as it darted behind some shrubs. I knew by the shape of the tail that it was not a Starling and was worth stopping the car to take a look. I never pass an opportunity to get a good look at any bird that crosses my path.

Common Grackle

 Trips down Blackhead Road these days don't offer up much in the way of birds.  There are flocks of Juncos, American Goldfinch, Chickadees and occasional Purple Finch flitting around the trees but closer looks don't yield much else.  Look up, waaaay up and you may see flocks of American Robins and White-winged Crossbills flying overhead.

At this time of year, I guess, this is very common so when anything else pops up it is worth chasing down.

While standing on the side of the road in the community of Blackhead looking at a flock of Juncos, a black bird flew by quite low along the street and darted into the woods at about two feet off the ground.

What was it?  The mind starts processing:  It was too small for a crow and its behaviour was not like a crow. It was about the size of a Robin but it was too dark. What was it?

 My friend and I got in the car and drove to the area where it went into the woods and we stopped.  I quickly got out and peered into the woods. There was this beautiful Common Grackle.  It only stayed long enough to eat a berry or two and then it was gone.

Thank goodness for curiosity or we would have missed seeing this beautifully colored bird.  Recently, a flock of about 50 Common Grackles was reported in the heart of St. John's and I have seen a few flying overhead as I travel around the city. It looks like there may be a group planning to spend the Winter here.