Mexican grackle

[Marcia Wade - Lafayette, Boulder County]

I think I saw a Mexican grackle in the parking lot of Wendy's in Limon at 12:15 p.m.  Saturday. Anyone concur?  I've only ever seen one in a picture. My pix aren't real good 

b/c I was eating lunch when I realized there was something wonky about his tail and hadda scramble to find camera b/c he was unhappy about us being there,  and looked like he was planning to leave (he was and he did). In the 2nd pic where he's yelling at us, he looks like an avenging angel, doesn't he? Thanks in advance. - Marcia Wade

[Charles Hundertmark]

Looks like a Great-tailed Grackle.

Chuck Hundertmark

Sent from my iPhone

On May 2, 2021, at 5:42 PM, Marcia Wade - Lafayette, Boulder County <marci...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think I saw a Mexican grackle in the parking lot of Wendy's in Limon at 12:15 p.m.  Saturday. Anyone concur?  I've only ever seen one in a picture. My pix aren't real good 

b/c I was eating lunch when I realized there was something wonky about his tail and hadda scramble to find camera b/c he was unhappy about us being there,  and looked like he was planning to leave (he was and he did). In the 2nd pic where he's yelling at us, he looks like an avenging angel, doesn't he? Thanks in advance. - Marcia Wade

<longtailed grackle maybe.JPG>

<longtailed grackle 3.JPG>

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<longtailed grackle 3.JPG>

<longtailed grackle maybe.JPG>

[Eric Storms]

Aren’t Mexican and great tailed grackles one in the same? Or is the Mexican a specific variant (similar to Mexican ducks and mallards until recently)?

Eric Storms

Castle Rock

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[Dan Zmolek]

Indeed, but had to look that up.  Fascinating.   TIL that Mexican (Great-tailed) Grackles were likely introduced to N. America by the Aztecs - at least according to wikipedia.  

Dan Zmolek

Gunbarrel

[Marcia E. Wade]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.  Everything I have read says a 

Mexican grackle is the same as a great tailed grackle. .I was surprised 

to see him b/c I didn't think they were found in Colorado, but I was wrong. 

The Audubon Guide lists them as uncommon in Colorado during breeding 

season, but also says they have expanded their range by 5,500% in the 

past 200 years. Wow.  I'm thrilled to have gotten a picture of one - I think 

they are gorgeous. .