next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
After reading recent postings about the Boat-tailed Grackle on Cape Sable Island I see that there may be some confusion about the identification of this bird. I was surprised to learn that more people did not know that the bird in question was a dark-eyed adult male.
On May 23 at Daniel’s Head (see initial posting for earlier details) this bird was feeding in the company of Common Grackles, and in the scope, the contrasting yellow eyes of the Common Grackles leaped out, while the dark eyes of the Boat-tailed were very difficult to see.
Color wise another hint to its identification was the body & head plumage of this individual. Compared to a Common Grackle there was much less contrast between the head and body. This was because the bird lacked the bronze or multicolored body of the Common, instead showing the much darker greenish-blue iridescence of the Boat-tailed.
Structure wise there were a number features that pointed towards Boat-tailed Grackle.
The first time we observed the grackle is was under heavy heat haze and the bird kept disappearing into the crevices of the salt-marsh. We had to wait a couple of hours for the rising tide to force it out into the open where it could be easily viewed.
At the time it reemerged, it was feeding in close proximity to Common Grackles, a Black-bellied Plover and a Willet and appeared longer than all of them. We were also able to compare the grackle’s size to a number of American Crows that were feeding throughout the marsh all of which were longer and heavier. This was another feature that favored Boat-tailed over Great-tailed.
Four different parties all came to the same conclusion, independent of one another, that the size of this bird was much larger than a Common Grackle but smaller than an American Crow.
Another structural feature that tipped the scales towards Boat-tailed Grackle was its large rounded tail which was clearly not wedge-shaped.
Anyone watching for this bird should also be able to pick it out from Common Grackles even at a great distance by its longer legs which causes it to stand taller than the Common Grackles.
Most observers did not have the chance to see this bird in flight but Johnny Nickerson who had it in his yard with 5 Common Grackles noted that it lacked the undulating flight of the Common Grackle.
I should also note that before we saw this bird I knew status wise it is much more likely for a Great-tailed Grackle to show up in Nova Scotia than a Boat-tailed so upon seeing a large grackle, Great-tailed was the first consideration. I was quite familiar with both species having seen hundreds of each during my various travels south.
Finally in addition to the above field marks the fact that the bird had spent at least 3 days feeding in a salt-marsh strengthens the case for it being a Boat-tailed.
In total there were at least six observers of the Boat-tailed Grackle over a period of 5 to 6 days. The observers included: Johnny Nickerson, Rachel Hoogenbos, Aileen Smith, Julie Smith, myself and my Dad. All of which contributed to details of this writeup.
I wish to emphasize that this was not an atypical Boat-tailed but a very typical individual.
Before the season is over, I hope others have a chance to enjoy this amazing dark-eyed grackle. - All the Best in Birding, Clarence
__________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now
http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.
next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects