The Boat-tailed Grackle – brown or dull yellow eyes, long keel-shaped tail, black overall, iridescent purple on head and back, black legs and black bill.

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Added to my Birding Life List on 04/10/93

(West Palm Beach, Florida)

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The Boat-tailed Grackle is a very large, glossy black bird.

The Boat-tailed Grackle’s common name refers to its long tail, often held in a V-shape to form a “keel.”

Found along the coast from Texas to Long Island, this songbird prefers salt and brackish marshes, where it breeds in colonies and socializes in noisy flocks.

The Boat-tailed Grackle has been expanding its range northward since the 1940’s, probably due to milder winters north of the Carolinas.

The female is a light, warm brown with dark brown wings and tail. The female’s “ear” is darker brown under a pale eyebrow. The eyes of both sexes are yellowish.

 

I photographed this beautiful bird while visiting the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge this past week.

 

Just as I am! Every Friday you may participate in Feathers on Friday at Prairie Birder.

Here is Charlotte’s Blog web-site:

http://prairiebirder.wordpress.com

This is another great Blog to learn about Birds!

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Enjoy Birdwatching!

It can be entertaining as well as educational!

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Note:Some of my information for this post was taken from Field Guide to Birds of North America.