Brewer's Blackbird? (Northern VA) (1 Viewer)

[howiewu]

Hi, today when I was at Huntley Meadow Park in Northern Virginia, a flock of blackbirds flew by.

I took a few pictures of them.

I think these are Brewer's Blackbirds, aren't they? They seem to have the "blackbird bills".

Thanks in advance,
Howard

 

[foresttwitcher]

Yes, Brewer's.

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

These are Common Grackles. Brewer's don't occur in Virginia, at least not in flocks. An occasional vagrant, perhaps.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Yes, sorry, its obvious when someone who knows better points it out!

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

Looking closer at the first bird, it may be a Rusty Blackbird. I've never seen Rusty's in breeding plumage, so I can't say if this bird is too iridescent for Rusty, or just a Common Grackle at an odd angle, but common grackles usually show a distinctly glossier bluish head and browner body.

Do you have any other pics?

 

[howiewu]

Here's a couple more ...

 

[unipega13]

This definitely isn't Brewer's.
I'd say the bill shape represents the common grackle. Rusty blackbirds have shorter bills. And the latter photos also show the distinct gloss on the head.

 

[Natureschild]

I say Common Grackle as well.