Great-tailed Grackle

We first got to know this bird when living in Austin, TX, and they came to represent the best of Texas to us. Big, brash, and unapologetic. Lots of fun to watch, and smart. Although they can wake you up in the morning, I think they are one of my favorite birds.

Although some might not like them, I love them. I love their call, admire the beautiful shiny iridescent black coat of the males, and the way the males and females flock together. Here in Bakersfield, California, they are quite abundant in areas such as markets, outdoor shopping malls and parks where they might be able to scavenge for tidbits.

Ugh! I can't stand this male of this species! (The females are okay.) They have this irritating, loud "whut-whut-whut-whut-WEEEET!" call that goes on for hours, or at least it seems that way. Frequently several idle slackers will form a treetop gang, each one with its bill pointed skyward, trying to out-whut-whut-whut-whut-WEEEET the others. They always look unkempt and sloppy, the Oscar Madisons of the bird world, plus their long, awkward, misshapen tails look ridiculous. I'll take a short-tailed, quiet (by comparison) Starling over one of these good-for-nothing noise machines any day.