Starling, Crow, Cowbird, Grackle?! (1 Viewer)

[gabirding]

I traveled to Missouri early in July and took these when we stopped for gas along the way but I can't remember if it was before MO. Could be TN, IL, or MO. I thought the brown bird might be a female boat-tailed grackle but it looks more like a crow and doesn't fit in with other pics I've taken of that species. The smaller birds were nearby and I can't tell what they are either. I'm pretty sure the one with the bluish head is a grackle but it's not as iridescent as some of that I've taken elsewhere. Thanks for your help!

 

[Rapala]

The only thing I know for sure is that picture #3 is a Grackle. Not too sure about 1 & 2.

 

[KC Foggin]

2 appears to be a Cowbird.

 

[RJP]

With that bill, I'd call #2 a juvenile Grackle. #1 is a more difficult view, but these birds appear to have medium-long straight bills, and very short tails, ergo Starlings.

 

[A2GG]

I agree with #2 being a juvenile Grackle and of course #3 being an adult Grackle.

 

[gabirding]

Thanks for all of your help! I meant to add that I have lots of female cowbird pics and #2 is too dark for the female but thought maybe a juvenile male. The beaks on the littler ones do look like Starlings. I've yet to get a Starling picture with all the brilliant colors like I see in the guide books. The ones I've gotten are clearly Starlings but a bit dull compared to what I was expecting. Maybe the light has to hit them just right?

 

[A2GG]

Thanks for all of your help! I meant to add that I have lots of female cowbird pics and #2 is too dark for the female but thought maybe a juvenile male. The beaks on the littler ones do look like Starlings. I've yet to get a Starling picture with all the brilliant colors like I see in the guide books. The ones I've gotten are clearly Starlings but a bit dull compared to what I was expecting. Maybe the light has to hit them just right?

and I can see in pic 2 a little yellow in the eyes of the young Grackle.

 

[Tiraya]

1. Starling
2 & 3. Grackle

 

[Microtus]

1. Starling
2 & 3. Grackle

Any grackle would be Great-tailed.