grackle

The large male is black with lots of iridescence, with that giant tail standing out, while the females are quite a bit smaller and all brown. these two males seemed to be competing with each other for the attentions of the females - lots of head-raising and calling until one flew off

The glossy black male boat-tailed grackle, with a purplish iridescent sheen in direct sun, flying noisily past me while calling out

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) They are even impressive without their great tail, this ones tail has only grown back about half way so far from its August-September molt.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) All of our grackles are currently in molt. They have lost all of their tail feathers and are just beginning to grow them back while some still have two or three tail feathers remaining. This bob-tailed grackle is a little further along...

I'm always amazed at how the light reflects on the feathers on these Grackles.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) Male, perched on a bald cypress knee.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) Female.

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula versicolor) male with a Wolf Spider.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) Male in a heads-up display.

......into the swing of things. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and well wishes I used them all my friends.

This male grackle was perched in a tree with another male. It gave out a short, raspy, ascending call, then threw its head back and spread its tail and wing feathers. It this a mating display?

This male grackle was perched in a tree with another male. It gave out a short, raspy, ascending call, then threw its head back and spread its tail and wing feathers. It this a mating display?

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola)

Grackle scavenging for fishermen's loose bait, taken on the Pier at Mt Pleasant SC Waterfront Park.

Grackle enjoying the breezes and singing, taken at Mt Pleasant SC Waterfront Park.

Grackle having breakfast, taken at Mt Pleasant SC Waterfront Park.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola)

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola) Male.

Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major subsp. major) Male, species sexually dimorphic.

Haven't seen too many of these guys around lately