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MatthewParis @matthewparis.bsky.social

#birds This poor male grackle is in molt, and he's lost almost all the feathers on his head - which gives him this horrible appearance. And yet - the morning light shows how the rest of his feathers glisten and shine beautifully.

The grackle is standing at the rim of a shallow stone bird bath, and is drinking from it. The feathers on his head are mostly missing, showing the skin underneath and giving him a very weird appearance. However, the early morning light shows how the rest of his feathers glisten with a whole array of beautiful colors. The background is a garden with a wooden fence.
aug 8, 2025, 5:21 am • 4 1

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Ferret Slave @ferretslave.bsky.social

I watched grackles destroy every song bird in the area. They broke eggs, tore up nests and killed adults and chicks alike. They got so bad that I personally bought owl cutouts to place on companies rooftops and moved them around. It worked and the next year - song birds! Sorry - I hate them.

aug 8, 2025, 7:04 am • 0 0 • view
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MatthewParis @matthewparis.bsky.social

I understand your feelings. I've heard other stories about territorial nest bashing and egg breaking by other species as well. I am glad to hear that your movable owl cutout strategy worked. Nice! May the songbirds thrive!

aug 8, 2025, 2:21 pm • 1 0 • view
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Ferret Slave @ferretslave.bsky.social

Found this abcbirds.org/program/cats...

aug 8, 2025, 9:50 pm • 0 0 • view