Grackle ~ even the name sounds unfriendly

 Photos by Barry Wallace

COMMON GRACKLE

Quiscalus  quiscula versicolor

The grackles in our backyard often rule the roost when it comes to all the other small birds (chickadees, sparrows, nuthatches, cardinals, etc.) but especially so when their young offspring are learning to use the feeders.   It's mayhem.   The adults do have a those sleek shiny black feathers to recommend them, but the adolescent grackles are a drab unattractive dun colour.   Nevertheless, they are bullies.  

The only bright spot in the situation is that because the grackles can maintain as much time as they want or need to feed (and they do so religiously) at least they mercifully, if not wittingly, disappear for awhile.   The smaller birds then get their chance.   It all works out I suppose, in nature's grand scheme of things.

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if you wish.

Barry Wallace