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Florida Gardening

Another bird ID please

17 years ago

Our friend Mark recently put up a couple of bird feeders and has enjoyed watching all of the morning activity. Today he had a newcomer, large and black like a crow with a purple beak. My books are still packed and my internet search didn't turn up anything. Hoping you can help.

Thanks Marion

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Comment (1)

manature
17 years ago
A purple BEAK? Hmmmmm. Never heard of that. The only large black birds I know of that would likely come to a feeder (besides crows) are grackles. The parking lots and yards of full of purple grackles right now. But their beaks are basically just glossy black like the rest of the bird. Their feathers are irridescent, and have a purple sheen to them, but the beaks are just shiny black.

You got me on this one, Marion. Dare I ask for a picture? Sure would help, though to my knowledge, there are no native black birds with purple beaks. Perhaps something exotic?

Marcia
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