I was happy when I was able to take Common Grackle portraits two days ago in Arkansas. This is a species I only found, identified and pointed out once in Utah. I lived in Utah nearly fifteen years. Common Grackles aren’t common at all there.
Common Grackle close up at a bird bath – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Even though Common Grackles are abundant in their range, I wish their name didn’t include the word “common.” There are other descriptive words that could have been used. Probably scores of them.
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t care for the word “common” in the names of birds or other organisms. That is old news to many of you who read what I write here.
Common Grackle portrait in Arkansas – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I believe this grackle is a female because of her brown body plumage. Females are much browner than the males of this species.
Common Grackle in Arkansas up close – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
My main focus was on this grackle, not her gender. She flew in with food in her bill, which she promptly soaked in the water of the bird bath. Thankfully, the grackle stuck around after eating what she had in her bill long enough for me to take a series of portraits.
The Common Grackles here are actually a bit skittish and take off quickly. I really appreciated having this grackle in front of me for as long as I did! I hadn’t been able to take close-up portraits of this species until two days ago.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Common Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
The eye contact; the iridescent blue on the Grackles back and, of course, the detail…makes for simply incredible portraits. Thanks Mia.
Wonderful colors on the birds, and the background colors help make for very rich pictures.
Beautiful!
Very pretty!
I saw a group of common grackles in UT around the same time you did, but in South Jordan along the Jordan River. They seemed unusual but I didn’t realize how rare they are here till now! They are fun to experience in person, such personalities!
I agree with you about the addition of ‘common’ to the name. And loved seeing your portraits of this extremely uncommon (to me) beauty.