April 5, 2010
Common Grackle var. (Quiscalus quicula var.) - Fresh Pond Shoreline
While walking down Perimeter Road, I observed what appeared to be an
"all black" bird fly over the fence that encloses Fresh Pond, then drop to the
shoreline. This is because Common Grackles appear black from a distance.
Using my zoom, I was delighted to discover the brilliant blue of this bird's
plumage. The Common Grackle plumage is variable; the head can be
either iridescent blue, green, or violet (or a combination of all three colors).
Common Grackles have a bronzy iridescent body.
Description and Photo by Carol Collura