need some help please.from a birdwatcher

[BentleyJD]

Hi,Tony and Lido here.
Any birdwathchers out there?
I had a blackbird at my feeder today. But this one had a large white stripe on his wings.He's also larger than the red-wingers
Anyone know what it may be, can find nothing on the internet.
take care
tony and lido

[Bossy Monkey]

1. Not a birder but I have some small google fu. Tricolored blackbird is possible if you're in

California. http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/552/overview/Tricolored_Blackbird.aspx If not, you may have more success mentioning where (roughly) you live, ie, East, West, Rockies, Great Plains. Good luck!

[rucky]

2. You should post your question here:

http://californiabirding.net/

[CreekDog]

3. ask XemaSab

and I think she runs the birding forum you were directed to. :hi:

[BentleyJD]

4. thanks

appreciate the help

[XemaSab]

5. What color was the head?

:shrug:

Want to go ask on my site? :D

[BentleyJD]

6. it was

all black ezcept for the stripe.

[XemaSab]

9. I'm also asking where do you live?

City and state?

And the stripe was pure white, and not buffy? :shrug:

[tinkerbell41]

7. Whatbird.com

You can pick coloring, location, beak shape, size, and it will narrow down what you saw.
I recently started birding,2yrs, and am amazed at how many different types visit my yard.
I had a new one today a Golden Crowned Kinglet sooooo cute.

[hippywife]

8. Where do you live?

According to the birder in our house, it's highly relevant.

[BentleyJD]

11. oops

live in orlando florida

[hippywife]

12. Any other markings?

Was it crested, what color were beak and legs?

[Critters2]

10. Sounds like a lark bunting, except for the size.

http://aviary.owls.com/lark_bunting/lark_bunting.html

[pitohui]

13. grackles (large blackbird species) semi-frequently have abnormal white feathers

i have seen as few as one or two wing feathers affected, but sometimes many more feathers are affected -- it's some kind of odd mutation/variation

if you are sure it's a grackle/blackbird species -- let's say for shits and giggles that it's common grackle as i have seen them at my feeders in louisiana -- then look at the bird and try to imagine what the bird would look like without the white stripe

also are there are other blackbirds/grackles at the feeder that do NOT have the white marking? what species are they? (i understand you have eliminated red-wings based on size)

if it's just the one odd bird i think there's a greater chance of something like this -- also if the white marking is not symmetrical that's a pretty good clue

i am trying to think what all blackbird/grackle species i have seen with these markings -- common grackle for sure, maybe boat-tailed -- but i think it's possible with all species

also seen this with unrelated species such as jays, robins, even ruby throated hummingbirds can have some (or all) white feathers

i can see from the replies you're getting that most people assume that you do not really know whether or not you have seen a "blackbird" species, as opposed to a bird that happens to be black in color, i'm just taking your post at face value, if you're sure it's an icterid (blackbird/grackle) then try it without the white markings and see if you get closer to an ID because it could just be abnormal plumage