floraphile Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Is this a Common Grackle? There was a small mixed flock of grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and Fish Crows roosting in pines at water's edge. Feb 2019. Port St. Joe (Gulf Co.), FL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kid2169 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Looks good for Common Grackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 How about this one? And if Common, why Common over Boat-Tailed (without using eye color)? Is there a particular ratio of tail-to-body that suggests one over the other? Apr 3 2020 Baldwin co. (coastal), AL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 (edited) Just based on structure, I like Boat-tailed for the first two photos and a Bronzed Common for the last photo. Edited April 3, 2020 by akandula 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 5 minutes ago, akandula said: Just based on structure, I like Boat-tailed for the first two photos and a Bronzed Common for the last photo. Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneat Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Agree with @The Bird Nuts and @akandula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 Hmmm...now I'm really confused. The tail on the last one looks longer and more-keeled than the first (same bird in first 2 pics). Does tail length have nothing to do with separating the two species? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneat Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 The last picture is identifiable as a Common Grackle, I believe, due to the bronze coloration on its chest. A Boat-tailed Grackle would not portray bronze coloring like that, particularly not in that bold a color. This individual is comparable to the Common Grackle from this link https://ebird.org/species/comgra if you would like further examples. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 (edited) The shape and proportions of their head, eyes, and bill are what I mainly look for, but color and tail length can help. Edited April 3, 2020 by The Bird Nuts 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akandula Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Common Grackles have a big-headed appearance and stouter bills than Boat-taileds. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 agree with all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 5 hours ago, akandula said: Just based on structure, I like Boat-tailed for the first two photos and a Bronzed Common for the last photo. Head is flat and color is far too purple for Common. At least, the Commons in panhandle FL. Interestingly, it's a pale-eyed bird, so obviously of the race alabamensis, which has a tiny range (western panhandle FL to coastal MS). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted April 4, 2020 Author Share Posted April 4, 2020 (edited) Hi, Tony. Your input is always greatly appreciated! Can you clarify what you think each bird is? pics 1 & 2--Gulf co. FL Feb 2019 pic 3--Baldwin co, AL (coastal) Apr 2020 @Tony Leukering Edited April 4, 2020 by floraphile tag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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