What kind of bird is this? (Photo within)

May 20, 2015 11:24 PM

I need help identifying this bird. A fried took the photo while traveling in Texas a few days ago. The bird was seen in the urban area of Dallas, TX. Thanks!
posted by amf to Pets & Animals (8 answers total)

Looks like a female grackle to me.
posted by hobo gitano de queretaro at 11:35 PM on May 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Yeah, it looks like a female grackle, probably a great-tailed grackle based on the location. Large flocks of grackles sometimes cause problems in Dallas and Ft. Worth.
posted by neushoorn at 1:01 AM on May 21, 2015

Best answer: Sibley also calls that a Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), and based on coloring and location goes further to suggest it's a first-year Eastern female. The adult males are iridescent purplish-blue, with bright yellow/white eyes and diamond/kite-shaped tails. The more you know!
posted by jquinby at 4:42 AM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]

I've had good luck with the Merlin Bird ID app - for next time.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 6:04 AM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]

One more vote for lady grackle.
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:06 AM on May 21, 2015

Skinny grackle.
posted by Gilbert at 7:00 AM on May 21, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! Grackle it is. I knew the males and their distinctive color, but had no idea what the females look like.

DrJohnEvans, thanks for the link to the app, I'm downloading it as I type.
posted by amf at 7:36 AM on May 21, 2015

There's a great Flickr group called The Bird Identification Help Group for future sightings!
posted by Threeve at 8:27 AM on May 21, 2015