FOUR STARTERS A male grackle sits on a fence in Monroe County .
Common grackles are large , lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails . The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds , with the hint of a downward curve . In flight , the wings appear short in comparison to the tail . Males are slightly larger than females .
Appearance From a distance , common grackles appear black . But up close , their heads are a glossy purple , contrasting with their bronzy-shimmering bodies . A bright golden eye gives the bird a purposeful expression .
Habitat Common grackles thrive around agricultural fields , feedlots , city parks , and suburban lawns . They ’ re also common in open habitats including woodland , forest edges , meadows , and marshes . Watch them strut on their long legs , pecking for food rather than scratching .
Source : All About Birds
8 � SOUTH � MARCH-APRIL ’ 24