Grackle

 

Meet the Grackle, the Common Grackle to be more precise, as there are Boat-tailed Grackles and Large-tailed Grackles.  This common variety is a real trouble maker around the backyard bird feeder.  They alight upon the feeder and scatter the food they don't like, taking only the best morsels for themselves.  The smaller song birds are wary of them and will not come to the feeder when the Grackles are plentiful.

On the other hand, these black beauties are resourceful, and the males are pretty in the springtime when the feathers around their necks are at their most iridescent in the sunlight.  Their large yellow eyes are spectacular.

I just wish they would eat in someone elses yard and not scare off the blue-jays and cardinals.

JRT