Visitors to the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge often ask “What is that black bird?” when they see a Boat-tailed Grackle. Most people think it is a crow. They are also surprised to learn that the female grackle is a small brown bird that doesn’t look much like the male.
Many people are not impressed by the grackles and think that they are not very attractive. The Boat-tailed Grackle is actually a beautiful bird but it must be seen under the right conditions.
When the grackle is viewed in full sunlight at the right angle the male displays a beautiful iridescent blue-purple sheen and the female displays rich brown tones with a hint of blue-purple.
Here are a couple of images I shot at the saltwater boat ramp near the lighthouse. The sun was overhead and to my back which allowed the colors to show beautifully.
The Boat-tailed Grackle is very common at St. Marks NWR so when you visit please take the time to look carefully at this beautiful bird. Sometimes there is great beauty around you but you have to know how to look.