Bird ID- Staten Island (1 Viewer)

[Microtus]

The head is turned at an angle and is facing the camera, so it could look different than expectations.

JZS, I'm curious where on Staten Island was the photo taken? Close to the shore, or not?

 

[Larry Sweetland]

I don't think we can go on colour at all here. Just shape and posture.

 

[etudiant]

Boat Tailed Grackle is quite rare in NYC.
There is one currently in Central Park, which has been associating with a large flock of Common Grackles all winter, but that is the only one reported near here afaik.
Separately, there is a partly leucistic Common Grackle with a white head that is also present in the Park and these are somewhat routine.
So I'd guess this bird is probably one of those, but doubt that this photo allows a firm conclusion.

 

[JZS]

JZS, I'm curious where on Staten Island was the photo taken? Close to the shore, or not?

Hi Microtus, the photo was taken at Jones Woods park on Staten Island, which is rather close to the New York Harbor (a bit under a mile away). It was also a photo taken by a trail camera, so nobody was there to intimidate the bird (maybe relevant for more shy species).

 

[Microtus]

Thanks JZS. I hadn't realized that this was a trail camera photo. I suspect based on the location, habitat, and relative paucity of eBird sightings of Boat-tail from last summer on Staten Island, that the bird is a Common Grackle.

 

[Birdbrain22]

Common Grackle here.