Details for Record 76992
Page: Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Date: 12/20/2009 
2009/12/20
County: Anne Arundel County
State: Maryland
Country: United States
A "Purple" Common Grackle in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (12/20/2009). The following photos are a comparison of Bronzed and Purple Grackles in my yard in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (12/20/2009). Our area hosts a wintering flock of marauding Common Grackles, which often holds a few Bronzed Grackles. Bronzed Grackle (Q. q. versicolor) is the subspecies that breeds generally west of the Appalachians and is the less common migrant and wintering subspecies in Maryland. I have been awaiting an opportunity to photograph the two species in ideal light to show the striking differences in plumage iridescence. Today finally provided just such an opportunity. The first three images show our year-round subspecies, Purple Grackle (Q. q. stonei). Note the green iridescence on the head and extensive purple on the back and belly. The overall iridescence often looks rainbow-colored.
A "Purple" Common Grackle in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (12/20/2009).
A "Purple" Common Grackle in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (12/20/2009).