[Terry O'Nolley]

I took these shots yesterday of an unknown blackbird. You can see how small it is in the third pic - where it is next to a clump of oak leaves.

The bird looked to me most like a Red-winged Blackbird - except it had absolutely no red in its wings. And I looked very carefully for a hint of the red epaulets.

Then I thought Juvenile crow - but the bill is too thin and pointy.

Then I thought "Black Oriole"! But soon remembered that there was no such thing.

Does anyone have any idea?

The bird also behaved strangely - it would hang almost upside down on the tree limb trying to glean something from clumps of dead leaves that hung beneath branches. The terrain was second growth deciduous forest.

[KCFoggin]

Why not a Grackle Terry? I might be imagining it, but it looks like there may be a hint of yellow in its eye.

[cavan wood]

Grackle for me as well. Clump of leaves stuck together usually means a packed lunch of moth pupa.

Scott

[Terry O'Nolley]

Originally Posted by KCFoggin

Why not a Grackle Terry? I might be imagining it, but it looks like there may be a hint of yellow in its eye.

It seemed smaller than a grackle and it had absolutely no irridescense that I could see. Plus the beak was just so straight. And the tail seemed quite small for a grackle.