[Birdtalk] Hummingbirds and a Grackle question

[Mark Stackhouse]

Yes, Brenda, this is normal for this time of year. Late summer is the 
main season for the molt, and so almost all birds will look a little 
ragged this time of year. Some species seem to look worse than others 
during the molt, and grackles can look especially bad. I'm always 
amused during my Mexican tours in the fall when the notorious 
"tail-less" Great-tailed Grackle is so common.

Good birding!

Mark

Mark Stackhouse
mark at westwings.com
801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

On Aug 15, 2006, at 11:56 AM, Brenda Kidman wrote:

> My husband and I were fortunate enough to have Kris come to our South 
> Weber house on Sunday evening.  We are so glad she did!  It turns out 
> that along with the obvious Black-chinned and Rufous hummers we could 
> identify, we also have Broad-tailed and Calliope!  After talking with 
> her we are going to work on getting an Anna's passing through.  We do 
> have a wonderful yard.
>
>  I have noticed three Common Grackles in the yard.  They look awful, 
> their feathers are thin, their heads look gray and like they have bald 
> spots.  I am hoping they are molting.  Is this common for (Common) 
> Grackles to look this bad? *bad pun intended*
>
>  Brenda
>
>
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