Common Grackle
When I used to work at Wild Birds Unlimited, we always had to chuckle when people new to birdfeeding would come in to the store and rave about the birds with beautiful, iridescent dark feathers that were showing up at their backyard birdfeeders. We always hated to discourage their enthusiasm......better to let them find out on their own what a nuisance and a mess these grackles can be for a few months. I guess I really shouldn't discriminate in my bird-friendly backyard, but I just wish the common grackle was a little less common!
Note to self: Remember to buy safflower next time I'm at the birdseed store.
9 comments:
Oh my... earlier this week, I got home early and decided to read out on the deck. Well, a huge FLOCK of them descended upon the tree line next door and I wish I could even begin to describe the sound of the noise coming out of those trees! I wanted to cover my ears as it was almost painful to hear. Thankfully, they only stayed for maybe 10-15 minutes and then flew away in a huge flock in the opposite direction. One or two I can handle. An entire flock, is like Chinese water torture!!
...we haven't had any yet--just the red-winged blackbirds staking out their territory. I love hearing the red-wings right now. Their call is pure summer. They also have run off the huge winter flock of starlings hanging out at my feeders all winter.
Still have not seen or heard a robin, red-winged blackbird or grackle. Wonder it they are coming back, even Patty is wondering.
MOM
I never get more than 2 or 3 grackles at a time at my feeders. I like the way they strut about. I haven't seen one yet this year.
Oh Jayne, that sounds perfectly awful! All the pine trees in my yard are irresistable to the swarms of grackles soon to arrive.
Hi Kelly, I haven't heard the red-wings singing yet, but that's one of my favorite bird songs too. I'll send my extra grackles your way!
Oh Mom, your birds are probably just lost in the fog. I'm sure they'll be showing up in your backyard soon enough.
You're very fortunate Ruth. I'd be willing to send a couple dozen excess grackles your direction if you ever want some more for your backyard.
I saw my first Canada geese today. I never get many grackles at my feeders, but in the name of Spring I would love to see one now!
We're still getting plenty of snow. I guess the magpie is our version of your grackle. They are a lovely bird but can be a challange, but then all corvids are. :)
Hi Deb,
When I was leaving work this morning, I noticed several high-flying flocks of Canada geese heading northward.
Hi Dave,
I saw on Trixie's FB the other day that she was BURIED in snow! When does good spring weather arrive to stay for you guys up there?
Ruthie: Are these birds that make such incessant noise? I remember when I was in Dallas one winter, there were trees full of some kind of birds that were noisy enough to make me want to shoot them...I think my friend said they were Grackles (Sp?). Made me think of the mocking birds I grew up with...chatter, chatter, chatter...
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