Gray Catbird- Melanism?- South Eastern Pennsylvania, US (1 Viewer)

T

tuftedtitrat

New member

• Jun 19, 2018

• #1

Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA
Seen about a half hour ago just in a backyard in suburban PA
I know it's a gray catbird, but I was wondering whether it has some sort of melanism or something, that plumage is all wonky. It's not just a juvenile, is it?The tails got me confused, shouldn't it be all black? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgEg5ilUcAE4Odl.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgEg5L1VMAAFMIh.jpg

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 19, 2018

• #2

To me it looks more like a grackle where shiny black feathers are reflecting light

Niels

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Jun 19, 2018

• #3

Yes, not a catbird but a grackle.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Jun 19, 2018

• #4

The beak size and shape, large dark eye, and body proportions make this a Gray Catbird. I'm not sure what happened to it.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 19, 2018

• #5

My first thought was Gray Catbird as well.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 19, 2018

• #6

Bill shape doesn't fit a grackle, I'd agree with Gray Catbird. What's happened to it - don't know! But to me it looks more like contaminated plumage, rather than a natural variant like melanism. Maybe it took a dustbath in a pile of soot?


PS welcome to Birdforum!

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2018

• #7

The Bird Nuts said:

The beak size and shape, large dark eye, and body proportions make this a Gray Catbird. I'm not sure what happened to it.

Click to expand...

Another vote for Gray Catbird here. Agree that is is more likely contaminated plumage too rather than something natural.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 20, 2018

• #8

Different eyes. I have looked at a number of catbirds the last couple of weeks and I felt the bill here was clearly too big for a catbird.

Niels

 

T

tuftedtitrat

New member

• Jun 20, 2018

• #9

Birdbrain22 said:

Another vote for Gray Catbird here. Agree that is is more likely contaminated plumage too rather than something natural.

Click to expand...

Alright then, thanks! I just have one question: what's with that tail?