Bird in Puerto Rico
Posted by Alysn Ford on August 26, 2006
Q: My husband is in Puerto Rico and described to me a bird he says is all over the place there. He says it is grackle like, black or dark brown, fans its tail out like a boat tailed grackle when it flies but when it's on the ground the tail is held together and sort of perpendicular to the ground. That aspect sounded vaguely like a wren to me, but aside from that I couldn't say. I know the description is minimal but I thought you might be able to help anyway since it is apparently such a common bird. Thanks!
State: Puerto Rico
A: I was delighted to receive your question since I was one of 2 illustrators for the field guide, Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands by H. Raffaele.
Your husband's bird is the Greater Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger). These birds do indeed hold their tails at a strange angle as your husband noted. This grackle is quite common in the lowlands of Puerto Rico and regularly seen by residents.
Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( August 26, 2006)