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Theme
BIRD EYE
The last few years a couple grackles have been nesting in the cedar trees. These blackbirds, with the iridescent heads, will stay around for awhile each spring and summer.
I’m not sure where this grackle family goes before the summer is over. It’s like they use the cedar tree for raising their babies and once they are grown up enough, they all take off to greener pastures. It is possible they fly off to join major communal roosts.
The grackles have a beady little yellow eye that looks threatening. These birds were a bit aggressive when other birds came for feed. This one must be showing the youngsters how to intimidate other birds.
Grackles get a back rap as they like corn plants and wheat and will gather in large flocks. On the plus side they are part of the system and help control insect populations that are harmful to plants. I noticed they would patrol the lawn like the robins in search of bugs and insects.
Scientific classification of Common Grackle
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
source
One bird the grackles can’t intimidate is the mourning dove. I’ve seen the dove raise his wings at the grackles and they backed away.
Here is the dove giving ‘the look’ to the junco but they both ate in peace.
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Photos & Text @redheadpei unless otherwise sourced
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