Blackbird siting at feeder station (1 Viewer)

[Norman Searle]

Hi. I am located next to the Winnipeg River in eastern Manitoba near Great Falls. It is full on winter. My property near the river has open water all year long so I see waterfoul and bald eagles a lot here. I also had a Great Grey owl on the property last week. I just had a blackbird scoping out my feeders. It didn't stick around long. I suspect it was a Brewer's but the light coloured eye didn't seem right. The body plumage was black with a hint of brown but no sheen. The head was black with a slight sheen. The bill was black. The tail was just under body length. Overall size just a bit smaller than the Bluejays that were also at the feeder. My question: was this a Brewer's or something else? Thanks.

 

[Norman Searle]

I just got a better look at this one and I don't believe it is a Rusty Blackbird. The purple sheen on the head and light coloured eye would be the tell. If this is a Brewer's it is not supposed to winter farther north than Kansas or so. It seems to be a long way out of it's range. The tail on this bird has a prominent fan shape but is not long like a grackle. I hope it lasts until spring.

 

[KC Foggin]

Maybe a Common Grackle because their tails are not as long as a Boat-tailed Grackle. The rest of the bird does sound like a Grackle in your descrition.