Boat-tailed grackle (male)

Description:

Adult males have entirely iridescent black plumage, a long dark bill, a pale yellowish or brown iris and a long keel-shaped tail.

Habitat:

Spotted at the Gulf State Park Pier where they are a common site as they forage in the parking lot and on the pier. They can be found along the Gulf Coast and much of the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

Notes:

These birds forage on the ground, in shallow water, or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, and grain, even small birds.