Black Birds - Bahama Bay

The small trees around the ponds provided ideal morning perches for two of the several US black birds (as against blackbirds) to stake their territories.
The redwinged blackbird doesn't look so dramatic at rest, but when it decides to call the effect is actually quite lovely as it flashes red and makes a Batman shape. The call itself is an unmistakable, but indescribable sound; one of those once-heard-never-forgotten calls.





The following pics are of grackles. I think they're all boat-tailed, but the differentiation between common and boat tailed seems to be largely on of size and sheen. Few common birds shine like these boys in the right light.