Featured in The Group on August 22nd, 2011.
Featured in Hidden Talent on August 19th, 2011.

A common grackle sits on top of a shrub in Pavan Park in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL
260 mm
1/400 at f/5.6
ISO 100
No post-processing

Viewed 117 times as of August 22nd, 2011.

The Common Grackles breeding range includes much of North America, well south of the tundra, east of the Rocky Mountains. Avoiding high elevations, it can be found scattered locally throughout Alberta.

This gregarious species arrives in southern Alberta about mid April, often in sizable flocks. They nest in trees, usually conifers, most frequently in urban areas, such as near the Zoo and in the Douglasdale area of Calgary. They also occupies spruce trees in farm shelter belts, especially when near water. After mid July, they gather into large flocks and wander throughout the city, mainly in or near the river valleys. The last birds depart during October. Often single individuals attempt to overwinter, as evidenced by the sightings on Christmas Bird Counts. They mostly winter in the southern USA, frequently in flocks of several million.