April 15, 2026

I am a male Boat-tailed Grackle

I mate using harem defense polygyny

I defend and mate with a group of females

But, they cheat on me when I leave the colony.

(According to the source article, only about 1/4 of the young in the colony are proven by DNA to be the dominant male's offspring!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat-tailed_Grackle/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

May 7, 2024

I am known as a Boat-tailed Grackle

You can see the nictitating membrane that protects my eye

Humans used to have nictitating membranes too

But they went away, we aren't really sure why

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/list/7-vestigial-features-of-the-human-body

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

April 20, 2023

I am a male Boat-tailed Grackle

I look like I'm smiling but I'm just overheated

So I'm panting and fluffing my feathers

Hey my tail looks pretty and pleated!

Location: Torry Island Campground, Belle Glade

Sources: https://travisaudubon.org/uncategorized/august-bird-forecast

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 22, 2022

I am a Boat-tailed Grackle

I'm not endangered yet like some other birds

But I might be moving to Massachusetts

If a climate change of 3 degrees occurs

Location: Riverview Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/boat-tailed-grackle

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 2, 2021

A Boat-tailed Grackle, an Osprey, a Great Egret

They seem disparate, but have two things in common:

They each have four separate subspecies

And none could survive eating only ramen.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.nwrafting.com/articles/ospreys-a-unique-bird-of-prey

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 29, 2021

(Left) I am known as an Anhinga

(Right) And I am a Boat-tailed Grackle

We get along fine in the wild as friends

But you won't find us in a wedding chapel. 

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00113

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 12, 2021

I am a Boat-tailed Grackle,

Or as David called me, a "no-tailed"

Molting season's the reason

For my feather depletion

I'd like to stay handsome, but nature prevails.

Location: Jetty Park, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-feather-molt/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 5, 2021

I am a female Boat-tailed Grackle

I'm omnivorous and eat what I please

Including both land and aquatic insects

And occasionally grain and seeds.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Headwaters Boat Ramp

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/boat-tailed-grackle

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 27, 2020

I am a male Boat-tailed Grackle,

Scientist used to think me and the 

Great-tailed Grackle were the same

But I am usually found near saltwater, 

And they live anywhere with water, shelter and grain. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat-tailed_Grackle/species-compare/67363291

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 17, 2020

I am a female Boat-tailed Grackle

I like to eat stuff that I find in the water

Such as tadpoles, frogs, mussels and shrimp

But sometimes I also eat other birds sons and daughters

Location: Fellsmere Stick Marsh

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/boat-tailed-grackle

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 2, 2019

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

In the center, I am a Ring-billed Gull
Surrounded by my Grackle friends

One of them has a much shorter tail
I think someone was mean to his end.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 28, 2019

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle
Snakes, rats and gators are my predators.
I have a harem, but if I want to get down,
I have to first fight off all my competitors.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 27, 2019

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

I am a Female Boat-tailed Grackle
I'll eat anything including other birds eggs.
I'll eat out of dumpsters and in city parks
Picking at picnicker's dregs.

Sources: Cornell All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 8, 2019

Location: Viera Wetlands

I am a female Boat-tailed Grackle
My mate thinks he is quite the ringer.
But DNA shows he's not always the dad,
We belong on Jerry Springer!

Sources: Cornell Lab - All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 7, 2019

Location: Viera Wetlands

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle
I like to practice polygyny.
I have many females who I get down with
And in theory, many progeny.

Sources: Cornell Lab - All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 14, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I too, am a female Boat-tailed Grackle,
But my feathers are shiny and new.
I recently completed my molt -
I replaced my feathers with ones I just grew.

Sources: Cornell Labs - The Basics: Feather Molt

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 13, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I am a Female Boat-tailed Grackle
I'm in the middle of my molt,
I usually don't have a pale stripe down my chest,
And my hair is usually combed!

(Today is a very special day. Be sure to wish my favorite bird guide and sweetheart,  David Simpson - a very happy birthday!)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 8, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle,
And I look like a hot mess
My feathers are messy cause I'm molting,
And I have one leg - why is anyone's guess.

I might have encountered a predator,
Like an alligator or snake
Or maybe I got tangled in fishing line,
That someone left here in the lake.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 14, 2018

Location: Spray Fields, Palm Coast

We are a girl and a boy Boat-tailed Grackle
We look different, so that might be a surprise.
But you can tell we are from the same species
When you compare our beaks, feet and eyes

(In addition to having the same beak, feet and eyes, behavior, such as how they feed, can also be a clue as to weather you are looking at 2 birds of the same or different species. If all that fails, check to see if the male gives the female flowers and candy on Valentines day.)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 28, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle,
I'm resident to Florida all year round.
But in north-east Florida my eyes are yellow,
And in central-east Florida my eyes are brown,

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson