I wish I could tell you that I’ve never met a bird I didn’t like. Thanks to Grandpa Grackle, uttering those words would be a big fat lie.
I don’t know the lifespan of many birds – but I’m really curious about this one. He’s been around for a few years now, intimidating other birds, hoarding the feeders, dominating the bird bath. Grackles are known for preying on sparrows, pecking them in the head just behind their eyes and eating their brains. Yes. I’ve seen them in pursuit. I’ve discarded their leftovers. I know this is normal behavior, and I know that if they didn’t do it, the sparrow population would be overwhelming.
This guy, though. He’s just plain mean. You can tell he’s in charge, he bosses the other grackles around, too. He’s been bald for a few years, so he’s not hard to identify. I figure he has to be the leader of the pack – and his baldness is his battle scar. He reminds me of that mean old rabbit Bigwig on Watership Down.
The girls call Grampa Grackle evil. I have to agree. He scares them – in fact when I was uploading images with Chickeymonkey on my lap, she turned her head away from his photos. We’re a nature loving family – but we’re all in agreement on this one. He’s one critter we just do not like. In fact I’d love to see this pretty girl swooping in to carry him off for lunch one of these days. heh.
What do you think? Should I give the poor bird a break, or does he creep you out as much as he does me?
{9 Comments}
I’d have my pellet gun in hand while ‘birdwatching’…
But maybe that’s just me. :2cents:
My Grandmother was an avid birdwatcher and lover, but grackles even bugged her. Grandpa Grackle is just doing what grackles do…nasty little buggers that they are! Our farm cats even backed off from them! 👿
He bugs me too! We have crows that drive me crazy. They get into the trash on trash day and get it all over the street. Plus, they never shut up!
I’m with you on loving all God’s Critters…well almost all…and that grackle would come in the “almost” category! We have a problem with them here in Texas. Swarms of them roost in trees and make that horrible noise of theirs. They also make mounds of bird doo! When I see them in my yard, I go out and just clap my hands. They are so used to gunshots to scare them away, that they think that’s what they are hearing and fly away!
Grackles? Ick. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
One Lousy Bird. 😡
My very good friend, who grew up on a ranch, lies on a floaty mat in her pool and shoots grackles out of the trees with a pellet gun. Would you like to borrow her? 🙂
The grackle eats brains? Hmmm. I’d say you’re ok with not liking this particular creature. 🙂
I’ll take your word for it, I’ve never seen this bird before. And maybe it’s a good thing!
Nature can be cruel but the birds need to eat, right? I just saw an adult gracle feeding it’s flege a grub on my lawn. Grampa will have his turn own day and he will become a food source for another one day. My vote is let nature take it’s course.
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