MacMe Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 Unfortunately no photo because this happens at evening/night and the only light source are street lamps. I'll do my best to describe it. This is in Corpus Christi Texas and has been going on for a month or two. On a stretch of highway (358) by, HEB, Target, Sam's Club, and other businesses there are thousands of small birds roosting in the trees of the parking lot. I don't see birds of these numbers during the day while I'm coming and going. The most common daytime bird around here are great-tailed grackles, but the birds in the trees are NOT grackles (I take that back, grackles do occupy a few of the trees but not nearly as populated and their calls sound different). I know Starlings gather in huge numbers in many parts and fly in their murmurations but I don't see starlings flying around before coming to land. Also, from the available light they don't look like starlings. They are swallow-like in flight and when in the tree they look like female/juvenile Purple Martins. I know Martins recently migrated and nested but I don't know how long they hang out in the area after fledging nor when the martins migrate away. Also, I have no idea if martins gather like this nor if these gatherings occur at other times of the year. Is there anyone living around here or have something similar going on where you live can help me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 Sounds like starlings to me, especially since you say they appear swallow-like in flight. And their definitely not crows, right? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 2 minutes ago, IKLland said: Sounds like starlings to me, especially since you say they appear swallow-like in flight. And their definitely not crows, right? "small birds" I don't think even a nonbirder would describe crows as small birds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 Cowbirds? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 1 minute ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: "small birds" I don't think even a nonbirder would describe crows as small birds. Missed that part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacMe Posted September 25, 2022 Author Share Posted September 25, 2022 There are starlings here but I never see more than a few at any given place, and I never see their murmuration as the sun sets. I can tell you that no one parks under those trees 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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