ML610531384
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
- Playback
- Playback not used
Observation details
The blackbird perched up on a fencepost at the edge of the parking area as I was checking out the Cattle Egrets. After about a minute at relatively close range, it disappeared. I thought it might have gone down toward the wetland area, but it had probably just tucked itself down into the grass in the cattle pasture. It showed up again, some minutes later, perched on the back of one of Erdenheim Farm's Black Angus cattle. Over the next few minutes, it would drop into the grass, then re-emerge atop one of the beefy juggernauts. During one of its closer forays to the ground, we could see it hopping around the feet of one of the cattle, presumably going after insects the cow was stirring up. Eventually, for no obvious reason, it took off and flew over to the powerlines at the edge of Flourtown Rd., where it perched for several additional minutes. It was still there when I left, but I hear it didn't stick around for too much longer. Longer-tailed, thinner-billed and larger than the Brown-headed Cowbirds who were also riding cow in the same area. Tail shorter than a Common Grackle's, and this bird was also not grackle-sized. Dark eyes should rule out Rusty Blackbird. Behavior/habitat doesn't hurt there either. Dull brown face/throat/upper breast with darker body. Vague hints of a darker cheek patch. Wagged its tail frequently, particularly when vocalizing. "Chuck" call recorded.
Technical information
- Camera
- Nikon Z8
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 571 MB