Documentation of Common Grackle
2005-168

Observer Information

Reporter:  Nicholas Komar  1507 Wildwood Court,   FORT COLLINS, CO  80521-4028
E-mail:  quetzal65@comcast.net
Other Observers:  Oliver Komar; Oliver Komar

Species, Date, Time and Location Information

Species:  Common Grackle
First Date/Time:  2/12/2005
Last Date/Time: 
Duration (total time in view):  5 min
County:  Larimer
Specific Location:  north side of West 57th Street about 1/4 mile west of Highway 287
Number:  1
Age:  Unknown
Sex:  Male
Plumage:  Other/Unknown

Habitat

Residential neighborhood with scattered large deciduous trees

Viewing Conditions

Optics:  Nikon Action 7x35 binoculars, Kowa Zoom 15-60 power telescope
Distance:  ranged from 30-50 meters, estimated
Light:  Excellent light from the southwest. I observed from the south.

Description of the Bird

By silhouette, a blackbird with a moderately long tail (about the length of the body) and a moderately long bill (not more than the width of the head).

Through a telescope, the black head had an irridescent purple sheen, and a yellow eye. The body had a bronze sheen.
Behaviors: The bird perched atop a deciduous tree, then flew to another treetop, then flew down to an area where a bird feeder was located.
Call: Call- "chuck"
Plumage: Adult

Similar Species Discussion

Tail too long for the following blackbirds: Brewer's, Rusty, Red-winged, and all cowbird species. Tail and overall size too small for Great-tailed Grackle. Blackish plumage ruled out female Great-tailed Grackle. Keel-shaped tail rules out non-grackles. Length of tail and body and coloration of irridescence matched the expected grackle species for Colorado (the "Bronzed Grackle") and ruled out other North American grackle taxa such as "Purple Grackle", Boat-tailed Grackle, Greater Antillean Grackle and Carib Grackle.

Resources Used

None

Previous Experience

Extensive experience with North American grackles through birdwatching activities 1972-present.

Notes

Memory

Additional Information

Comments:
Time: 3:30 pm
Elevation: 4900
Other Dates:
Nearest Town: Loveland
Independent Observers: Oliver Komar

Materials Available

Photographer: Nicholas Komar

Photos |

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Date Documentation Submitted

2/14/2005 11:25:00 AM
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