# Great-tailed Grackle

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** birds\
**Created:** [July 25, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476 "2022-07-25T12:17:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![terryb](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/terryb/32/39625_2.png) [@terryb](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/terryb)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/1 "2022-07-25T12:17:19Z")

</div>

![Great-tailed Grackle](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/e/dead6963e64da2ab5e8e1dee391ec7be9be1dba3.jpeg)

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of these birds. I live in pretty dense woods, where these birds don’t normally hang out. About the size of a crow, though scrawnier-looking. This big bird certainly took me by surprise when he flew up above the feeder just a few feet from me. I believe this is a juvenile male.

### Specific Feedback Requested

Any

### Technical Details

Canon 60D, Canon 70-300 IS USM @ 190mm, f/8, 1/90 sec., ISO 1250. Processed in ACR and PSE 2020.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/2 "2022-07-25T15:59:47Z")

</div>

Outstanding pose and head turn. Superb background and comp. These birds are quite noisy at times. The diagonal perch and open beak are real positives,!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mark\_Muller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_muller/32/78096_2.png) [@Mark\_Muller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Muller)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/3 "2022-07-25T19:50:53Z")

</div>

Super portrait, Terry! I love the shimmering green background, providing good contrast for this dark bird. I’m glad you were able to show off the little bit of blue in its feathers…something I didn’t notice when I saw my first Great-tailed Grackle. Boy, it was so fun just to sit and listen to their unique and varied calls and songs.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/4 "2022-07-25T21:54:19Z")

</div>

I like the pose with the open beak. Good detail. The bird and perch form a nice ‘X’ pattern. I like the variegated background as well. Nice capture.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/5 "2022-07-25T22:17:28Z")

</div>

Hi Terry  
This could be the opening for any medieval move, warning the local of coming danger. You did a very good job on the exposure. The blues and grays are clearly defined. I like the head turn and eye contact.  
Pete

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![terryb](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/terryb/32/39625_2.png) [@terryb](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/terryb)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-tailed-grackle/29476/6 "2022-07-25T22:49:38Z")

</div>

Thank you @David_Schoen@Mark_Muller @Allen_Brooks and @Peter_Morrissey for stopping by, and for your comments and critiques. This is certainly a striking, if not beautiful, bird.