IBRC #17-B-12

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Great-tailed Grackle
HOW MANY: 6 female or juv. birds

REPORTER: Lynn Davenport 4122 Tio Lane Nampa, Idaho 83686 208-880-6619
REPORTER EMAIL: sofabird@clearwire.net
OTHER OBSERVERS: None

DATE REPORT PREPARED: January 25, 2012
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: January 16, 2012

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Grandview, Idaho. In a tree near the Elementary school along side the main road heading north toward the Snake River and Ted Trueblood WMA.
HABITAT: Open city area. In bare trees.
CONDITIONS: These Grackles were withing 20 feet of me and remained there until I left after 15-20 minutes. It was overcast, 30 to 35 degrees. It was fairly early so the sun was not visible. Nikon Monarch 10x binoculars and Pentax DSLR with a 300mm lens.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: No, not at all
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, during the observation
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: Big Sibleys.

DESCRIPTION: Grackles. Large dark bill. Overall color was brown. Throat was very light and breast and belly were light brown. On at least two of these birds the eye was yellow. Tail was long.
BEHAVIOR: It was cool and early. They were perched and still.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? I consulted Sibleys to verify my observations and make sure they were not Common Grackles. The light colored throat and breast were the most identifiable feature along with the face patterns.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Color and facial pattern.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I have seen many Grackles over the years. All kinds. Great-tailed Grackles have been seen in Grandview in years past.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I have been an active birder for over fifty years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo