Boat-tailed Grackle

The Boat-tailed Grackle is endemic to the United States (found no where else in the world). It breeds primarily in coastal marshes, and is only seen along the immediate coastline, from the gulf north to New Jersey. Their song is a wild mix of sounds and their display includes rapid audible wing-flapping. I've never successfully captured a grackle of any species in flight before, so this was pretty cool.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Light, New Jersey

March 17, 2011