AEH Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 These were taken on May 1, 2021 in Reston, VA. I was thinking Rusty Blackbird but there is disagreement on iNaturalist. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caley Thomas 2.0 Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 (edited) I'm thinking Common Grackle (more of a soft opinion than a declarative statement for sure here). Did you hear the bird at all during your encounter? The sounds should really help to clinch the ID either way in the spring colors of the two birds... Edited March 29, 2022 by Caley Thomas 2.0 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEH Posted March 29, 2022 Author Share Posted March 29, 2022 Thanks for your opinion Caley. I don't believe there was a call. My impression (nearly a year ago) was that it was too small to be a grackle, but I'm not very familiar with either species. Grackles come to our feeder in flocks during the spring but Rusty Blackbirds are unusual around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Grackle for me. The bill is too big. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Definitely a Common Grackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEH Posted March 29, 2022 Author Share Posted March 29, 2022 OK. Thanks everyone for your opinions. Common Grackle it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Just for clarification, are both photos the same bird? I agree the second bird is a COGR. But the first bird seems to have a significant notch where the bill joins the head; the second bird looks more streamlined in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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