June 19, 2025

I am a male (top) Great-tailed Grackle

Like my mate (below) we both have bright yellow eyes

Like Boat-tails in the US, our plumages differ

And my mate is about 1/2 my size.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grtgra/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 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.

February 24, 2025

I am a Great-tailed Grackle

I'm about twice the size of my mate

Because she is smaller, she requires less food

And has a higher and longer survival rate.

Location: Near Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

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

Photo and text © 2025 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.

November 16, 2024

I am a male Great-tailed Grackle

My feathers are iridescent purple and black

You can find me in rural or urban areas

Looking for grain, fruit or animal snacks.

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great-tailed_Grackle/lifehistory

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.

August 15, 2021

I am a Great-tailed Grackle, 

You might confuse me with a Boat-tailed.

My eyes are yellow, and theirs are dark

My tail is longer and wider amongst other details.

(Special thanks to sweetheart and guest photographer, David Simpson who is on the road for a bit but submitting tons of very cool pictures for me to steal!)

Location: Convention Center, South Padre Island, TX

Sources:https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Quiscalus_mexicanus/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson