Bruce, it certainly isn't a cowbird, from that much longer bill. I wonder if it could be an odd female Brewer's Blackbird or if it has Common Grackle genes in it--either Brewer's or Brewer's x grackle.

Dennis Paulson
Seattle

----- Original Message -----

Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2014 14:13:46 -0800
From: bruce paige <BBPaige at nikola.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Cowbird/blackbird/grackle?
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <0010A4C9-1006-454C-8C93-0ABA142F1173 at nikola.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Tweeters,

Carol Riddle suggested I just send the web site for the pic of the mystery bird I found on Oct. 31 at Neah Bay, so here goes the attempt! Any input would be appreciated.

The original tweeters post was as follows:

"On a recent trip to Neah Bay (Oct. 31), I found what I felt were two Brown-headed Cowbirds. One appeared to be a immat. male, the other a female. I took a pic of the male as the plumage seemed a bit unusual for the species. The head was darker than the body-not characteristic of males of this species, plus the head had a bit of iridescence, also a bit unusual. If anyone would like to check the pertinent E-Bird checklist, I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have! If that is not available to you, I'd e-mail the pic to you upon request."

Thanks for any insights you can offer,

Thanks for the input,

Bruce Paige
Sequim

spruceak at yahoo.com

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20397124