Question for experts

[electraglideman]

I'v had what appears to be a Shiny cowbird, male. hanging around my feeder for the past week and he seems to be scoping out my Martin Housing. I've read where this breed is a nest parasite that lays one egg in the nest of other birds. I haven't seen the female. What is the best course of action with this bird. Is it a protected bird?

[electraglideman]

here's a picutre

[CraigMo.]

Looks like a Grackle to me and you should not have to worry

[electraglideman]

Thanks Craigmo. Thats exactly what it is a Common Grackle. I knew someone here could help me. I miss identified. Here is a picture of a Comon Grackle:

[Guest]

definatly not a cow bird

[electraglideman]

Yes the first picture is a Shiny Cowbird. I downloaded it from yahoo. The second picture, a common gackle also down loaded from yahoo, has the yellow eyes like the bird at my feeder.

[James Johnson]

Watch that suckers tail. If it goes vertical in flight it's a Crackle.

[Jeff Robinson]

Like Craig said, you shouldn't have to worry, especially if you have SREH (all bets off with round holes). And no, to best of my knowledge, they're not protected. Google your state's protected birds.

[Annie G]

I agree the color is the same as a grackle, but compare the beaks. The cowbird, (if thats what it is) has a short beak and the grackle has a long beak. Male cowbirds have a brownish head. It almost looks like a cross breed of the two. Has me scratching my head.