Great-Tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus
Since the 1960s, the Great-Tailed Grackle has expanded its range over most of the southwest USA. Earlier in the 1900s, their range barely reached north of Mexico. Though they breed slightly north in their range, they are year-round residents in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Originally from South and Central America, early Aztecs brought them north as they expanded their civilization in the 15th century. During the 20th century, these birds expanded their range north into the USA on their own by following agricultural corridors.
These bold and brash birds make their presence known with a variety of loud calls. During my Texas expedition in spring of 2020, I once parked under a tree that at day’s end was filled with grackles. The din of the colony was so relentless I had to move my RV. They never shut up!
Today, science recognises eight subspecies of Great-Tailed Grackle:
- Q. m. nelsoni breeds from central California to northern Baja California (Mexico).
- Q. m. nelsoni breeds in southeast California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, west Texas, and parts of Mexico.
- Q. m. prosopidicola breeds from Nebraska to central Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Mexico.
- Q. m. graysoni breeds in coastal Sinaloa (Mexico).
- Q. m. obscurus breeds in along the Pacific coast of southern Mexico.
- Q. m. mexicanus breeds in southern Mexico and northern Central America.
- Q. m. loweryi breeds along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Q. m. peruvianus breeds in southern Central America and northern South America.
36 Photos
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Safari Park (Formerly San Diego Wild Animal Park). Escondido, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:05 9:44 |
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Location:
San Pasqual |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5997-GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Cibola NWR, South of Blyth, CA. In Arizona near the Colorado River. |
Date Taken: 2006:02:16 15:05 |
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Location:
Goose Loop |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 340 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD1562GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2006 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 7:18 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD6811GreatTailedGrackle |
| Copyright 2008, Jack Daynes |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:20 15:23 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD7373.GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:20 15:40 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD7413.GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Seen on the first day of the expedition to Archipiélago de Revillagigedo on board the Shogun. Between San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2017:02:09 14:31 |
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Location:
Ensenada Harbor |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 500 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X3948 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Molting bird at Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:08:01 9:50 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4247-GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: A very noisy bird I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:54 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0395-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: A very noisy bird I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:54 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0422-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Head turned upside-down to drink. These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:54 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0435-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Time for a snack. These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:55 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0459-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Female. These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:56 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0495-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: The majority of the grackles I met this day were male. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 16:53 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505293-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: The majority of the grackles I met this day were male. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 16:53 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505302-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: The majority of the grackles I met this day were male. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 16:54 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505310-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: By far, the most audacious, loud birds in camp have been the Great-Tailed Grackles. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:17 15:50 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D503182-Breeze-Lake-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: I found grackles everywhere I visited in Texas, including these at a roadside rest area about one hour east of Fort Stockton. I was surprised how many birds I found. There were 3 oriole species, 3 flycatcher species, and cactus wrens. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:09 18:32 |
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Location:
East Pecos County Rest Area |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505685-EastPecosCounty |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: I found grackles everywhere I visited in Texas, including these at a roadside rest area about one hour east of Fort Stockton. I was surprised how many birds I found. There were 3 oriole species, 3 flycatcher species, and cactus wrens. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:09 18:32 |
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Location:
East Pecos County Rest Area |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505688-EastPecosCounty |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Grackles entertained me while I was waiting for the parakeets to return to view. As I was preparing to leave Corpus Christi, getting the RV ready for the road, I visited and RV Park and found Many dozens of nesting Monk Parakeets. Apparently Corpus Christi Texas wasn't done with me yet! |
Date Taken: 2020:03:19 14:53 |
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Location:
Nueces |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505965-CorpusChristi-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: This fledgling Great-Tailed Grackle won't win any beauty contests. The camp where I spent April in Brownsville, Texas has a "Reseca" or Oxbow lake on its border, Several feeder stations, with tall trees and grassy areas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:25 10:16 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: Fledgling-GreatTailedGrackle_D507200-Breeze-Lake-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: Female. These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:55 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0473-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: As the breeding season draws near, Great-Tailed Grackles put on their displays and become more bold. South Texas is about the only place in the USA where we find them. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 15:51 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8287-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:04 12:37 |
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Location:
Laguna Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/125 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8938-AtascosaNWR-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:04 11:34 |
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Location:
Laguna Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/250 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8302-AtascosaNWR-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Grackles are ever present in south Texas, but spring brings romance. My plan for an early start to my day chasing birds on South Padre Island backfired when a fog so heavy greeted me that my lens got coated with dew, rendering the already dark shadows where my subjects foraged were hopeless. During my last hour there, the lighting improved. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:13 11:33 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X5250-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Never a shy bird, this female birds gave me “the eye”. As part of The Great Texas Birding Classic, The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 17:45 |
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Location:
National Butterfly Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X1728-NationalButterflyCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: Never a shy bird, grackles are always glad to put on a show. As part of The Great Texas Birding Classic, The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 10:32 |
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Location:
National Butterfly Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X1479-NationalButterflyCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: Never a shy bird, grackles are always glad to put on a show. As part of The Great Texas Birding Classic, The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 10:32 |
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Location:
National Butterfly Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X1460-NationalButterflyCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:04 11:27 |
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Location:
Laguna Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/250 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8171-AtascosaNWR-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Quenching thirst. These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:54 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0440-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:04 11:29 |
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Location:
Laguna Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8217-AtascosaNWR-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: Grackles entertained me while I was waiting for the parakeets to return to view. As I was preparing to leave Corpus Christ, getting the RV ready for the road, I visited and RV Park and found Many dozens of nesting Monk Parakeets. Apparently Corpus Christi Texas wasn't done with me yet! |
Date Taken: 2020:03:19 14:52 |
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Location:
Nueces |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D505930-CorpusChristi-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: These are birds I met at the Gilbert Water Ranch, or Riparian Preserve which is located in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, or the Greater Phoenix Metropolian area, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:23 8:54 |
|
Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X0383-GilbertArizona |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 15:49 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4043-GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: Molting bird at Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:08:01 9:50 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4233-GreatTailedGrackle |
| (C) 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
|
Description: When the grackle mob showed up at the feeding station, it was every bird for itself. I spent the day in Laguna Vista and Laguna Atascosa Thursday. I didn’t find any unusual birds, but I enjoyed those that I met. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:04 11:37 |
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Location:
Laguna Atascosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/125 |
File Name: GreatTailedGrackle_D5X8369-AtascosaNWR-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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