Great-tailed Grackle? (1 Viewer)

[SalidMonster]

Is this a Great-tailed Grackle? Found at Dauphin Island, Alabama.

 

[Dave B Smith]

I'm not sure one can be certain from just this photo. All three Grackles probably overlap in this area although Sibley shows the eastern limits around Missippi. Boat-tailed are typically "Coastal" and Great-tailed are typically found in "upland habitats from farmland to city parks" (Sibley).

Head shape is another helpful though not diagnostic distinguisher between the two larger grackles with the Boat-tailed appearing somewhat rounder.

I assume you've ruled out Common Grackle based on your sighting.

If I ventured a guess it would be Boat-billed based on range / habitat / appearance of rounder head.

 

[SalidMonster]

I'm not sure one can be certain from just this photo. All three Grackles probably overlap in this area although Sibley shows the eastern limits around Missippi. Boat-tailed are typically "Coastal" and Great-tailed are typically found in "upland habitats from farmland to city parks" (Sibley).

Head shape is another helpful though not diagnostic distinguisher between the two larger grackles with the Boat-tailed appearing somewhat rounder.

I assume you've ruled out Common Grackle based on your sighting.

If I ventured a guess it would be Boat-billed based on range / habitat / appearance of rounder head.

I was looking at cornell's all about birds website and this is what it said (notice eye color):

"Similar Species
* Common Grackle smaller, with shorter tail and more restricted purple.
* Great-tailed Grackle is very similar, but tail is a little longer and head is flatter; voice is different. The Gulf Coast form of Boat-tailed Grackle, the form most likely to be in the range of Great-tailed, has dark eyes while the eyes of a Great-tailed Grackle are yellow."

 

[Dave B Smith]

Good point on the Gulf Coast form having a dark eye. I missed that.
On the note about Common having a more restricted Purple, again there is a Coastal form that is very purplish. Size and tail would be the best points for elimination.

 

[AlexC]

I see nothing to suggest this is anything other than a Common Grackle.

 

[SalidMonster]

Is this the same

I see nothing to suggest this is anything other than a Common Grackle.

What about this one? (different bird)

 

[AlexC]

What about this one? (different bird)

Also a Common (with an Eastern Phoebe). According to Sibley's maps (just now got it out - and as I now realize Dave's already said), Great-taileds aren't expected in Alabama, only Common and Boat-taileds (coastally). Believe me, when you see a male Great-tailed, you'll know it:

http://visionintime.typepad.com/photos/all_new_wildlife_birds/dscf4030.jpg
http://www.birdsasart.com/Great-tai...783-Buena-Vista-Ranch,-Cameron-County,-TX.jpg

:t:

(And again, Gulf Coast form of Boat-tailed has a dark eye, among other differences from Great-tailed).

 

[Gentoo]

I agree with Common Grackle. As Alex said when you see a male Great-Tailed you'll know it. Great-Tailed's voice will also be very distinctive, they make some of the weirdest sounds a bird can make.

 

[AlexC]

I agree with Common Grackle. As Alex said when you see a male Great-Tailed you'll know it. Great-Tailed's voice will also be very distinctive, they make some of the weirdest sounds a bird can make.

Hahahaha, VERY true. Their vocalizations can be SO WEIRD - the "shuffling papers" call? And the "fax machine" call??