Young Grackle Learning to Live

Now that I no longer live in south Austin or around campus among the famous grackle trees, I’ve come to appreciate these rather striking iridescent birds.

There are a few that have been nesting in the trees around the house and so every few weeks I get to see the fledglings learn how to be birds as they follow their parents from feeder to tree to birdbath.

Here’s one of the juveniles with his short tail and fuzzy, discombobulated look.

He hops, beak open and wings flapping,  over to one of the adults who has clearly just scored a nice juicy peanut.

Fortunately for junior, the adult bird is feeling generous.

“More!”