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ID in So Cal, USA (1 Viewer)

wendell2643

Well-known member
This bird was picking up crumbs in a market parking lot this morning in Irvine, CA. Maybe a grackle? Maybe a blackbird? I don't know. Help please . . .

Wendell
 

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The tail of this bird does not look like a grackle tail, and southern California would be a very unusual place to find a Common Grackle. The bird is a Brewer's Blackbird, not sure if it is female or immature male. Supermarket parking lots are one of its preferred habitats.
 
The tail of this bird does not look like a grackle tail, and southern California would be a very unusual place to find a Common Grackle.

Duh!! Guess I should have checked my guide which doesn't show the Common Grackle in Calfornia.

OK, upon further review I concede it is a female Brewer's Blackbird. It's apparent length led me astray. It looks long in the photo.

Where I felt compelled to chime in again is from the repetition of Common Grackles not being in Southern California. Here I can confidently say this is incorrect. They are well established here now. They also are frequently seen in parking lots. Clearly their range has expanded since many field guides were last revised.

Added:
Here's a pic taken from my small Sibley's (2003, no revisions) showing C. Grackles in SoCal, though indicated "rare". I can tell you they are no longer rare. I can go see them 5 minutes from my home.
 

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Where I felt compelled to chime in again is from the repetition of Common Grackles not being in Southern California. Here I can confidently say this is incorrect. They are well established here now. They also are frequently seen in parking lots. Clearly their range has expanded since many field guides were last revised.

Are you sure you're not confusing Common Grackles with Great-tailed Grackles? AFAIK, Common Grackles are still considered vagrants in California; they certainly are in southern Nevada.
 
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eBird shows only a handful of reports of Common Grackle this year and last in all of California: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=...r=2010&eYear=2011&continue.x=28&continue.y=10

Most of the reports are from a single Supermarket parking lot in the LA area, so I think we know Kevin's appx location now ;-).

Best,
Jim

I'm in eastern Ventura County 2 miles from LA Co. The San Fernando Valley is 5 miles away. I also see the birds in question in a series of parking lots on the west side of town.


Well, maybe. Certainly my curiosity is piqued. When I get a little time (hah!), I'll see if I can get a pic of the mysterious Simi Valley Grackles.

Cheers,
Kevin
 
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Just checked and Common Grackle also remains a review species in eBird, meaning a report would only be accepted if supported by documentation. But interesting to "hear" it's apparently now established in a few areas.

Jim
 
Do you want a few from my back yard? They have been taking over. Even the squirrels are looking over their shoulders when they venture near the Arbor Vitae where they nest!;)
Bob
 
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