tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post1807940944201997999..comments2024-01-16T21:08:41.534-06:00Comments on On a Wing and a Whim: Ambushed in the Airport ParkingOn a Wing and a Whimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00754595334684845895noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post-39304891645805558892009-04-24T18:28:00.000-05:002009-04-24T18:28:00.000-05:00John,
I'm comparing them to the nearest black bir...John,<br /><br />I'm comparing them to the nearest black bird I know, which is a Raven. Given I'm used to fat happy ravens that mass up to 3-1/2 pounds, the birds are cute and tiny, and definitely grackles. Thanks!<br /><br />There are definitely smaller birds, too. There's a pair of swallows nesting in the entrance to the hotel, and quite cute as they dive-bomb people who linger too long nearby.On a Wing and a Whimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754595334684845895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post-10341929900397792352009-04-24T11:35:00.000-05:002009-04-24T11:35:00.000-05:00Reviewing your post, I realized that you referred ...Reviewing your post, I realized that you referred to the birds as "tiny". I don't know Alaskan wildlife enough to know what you would consider tiny, but I'd consider the Grackle to be more of a medium-sized bird. <br /><br />A couple other possibilities might be a <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronzed_Cowbird" REL="nofollow">Bronzed Cowbird</A> or <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown-headed_Cowbird" REL="nofollow">Brown-headed Cowbird</A>, which have similar features, but are smaller in size and have shorter beaks. <br /><br />There's the <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-black_Grassquit" REL="nofollow">Blue-black Grassquit</A>, which would actually be considered a tiny bird. It does seem to fit your description best, as it has many features similar to a crow.<br /><br />I'm no bird enthusiast, so there's probably a lot of species that I'm missing here. Texas has an incredible variety of birds, so you're going to see a whole lot of them.<br /><br />Enjoy your time in San Antonio!John the Texanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05387509912509138934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post-16522176838739038262009-04-24T11:19:00.000-05:002009-04-24T11:19:00.000-05:00Heh- and this is the cool season... Try August! Be...Heh- and this is the cool season... Try August! Better yet, don't!Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post-12438141472272918852009-04-24T08:37:00.000-05:002009-04-24T08:37:00.000-05:00I can sympathize - when I came down here to re-con...I can sympathize - when I came down here to re-connect with the FodGuy after almost 30 years, it was in August - I'd thought Pennsylvania was less-than-pleasant that time of year - got off the plane, the FodGuy wasn't immediately there, so I went outside for a smoke - I was <I>smacked</I> with a degree of humidity that caused me to believe someone had thrown a hot, wet, HEAVY towel over my head .................. for future reference, March isn't too bad to travel down here ;-) ................ I posted to Peter to eMail me for my phone number - I'll guide y'all from Houston to LA via something other than "interstates" .................... ;-)<br /><br />Semper Fi'<br />DMDiamond Mairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673366797250424810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040486715126429420.post-1770413944566791632009-04-24T01:11:00.000-05:002009-04-24T01:11:00.000-05:00I beleive the bird you are referring to is a Great...I beleive the bird you are referring to is a <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great-tailed_Grackle" REL="nofollow">Great-Tailed Grackle</A>. Very common here and quite intelligent birds. Some people don't like them at all. I personally think they're pretty, especially the males, which have an iridescent blue/purple hue to them.<br /><br />My condolences on having to fly into Houston. Perhaps next time you can route through Austin - a MUCH prettier and largely smog-free place. :)John the Texanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05387509912509138934noreply@blogger.com