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Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 07:52:26 -0700
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Subject: [SBB] Almaden Lake / Great-tailed Grackles
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Hello All,

I followed up John Mariani's report on Almaden Lake, and yesterday evening (July 24) I refound two GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES at Almaden Lake.  I first saw them deep in the vegetation on the island with roosting egrets/herons.  Later the two grackles flew to the gravel bar where Alamitos Creek flows into the lake.  I had good views of both grackles as they foraged at the water's edge much like turnstones, literally turning over small stones and picking and pulling at other bits of stuff.  

The smaller one appeared overall very dark brown (presumably the female).  The larger all-black one was presumably the male and was scruffy in appearance.  It looked like he was missing some feathering on the head and what feathers there were about the head and nape stood up straight giving him a sort of ruffed appearance (like a Bronzed Cowbird).  Some downy feathering extended from his left thigh and his tail feathers were rather ragged.  Otherwise he appeared in good health and was foraging actively.

Both grackles seemed to me to be somewhat smaller than Great-tailed Grackles I'm used to seeing in Arizona and Texas, but the Sibley guide mentioned that this western version may be smaller.

Also saw WESTERN KINGBIRDS flitting about the hillside with a pair of young ones huddled together on a branch - very cute.

Thanks to John for finding these interesting birds.

Ann

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From: "Rick Mabry" <[[email protected]]>
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Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 11:03:42 -0500
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Subject: [SBB] a visitor's question
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Hello,

I hope I am not too off-base posting this question here, but I have exhausted 
my own resouces and stamina trying to identify these little cuties, which I 
saw while walking some roads in the hills of San Jose:

http://204.196.65.190/~rmabry/california-2002/diana-and-john/tinybirds1.jpg

http://204.196.65.190/~rmabry/california-2002/diana-and-john/tinybirds2.jpg

The small tree was covered with dozens of these birds, flitting about very 
rapidly, hanging upside down, and being generally entertaining.  (But I 
couldn't get a decent picture.) They seemed to be gobbling up tiny insects. 
When they decided I was too close they flew off, more-or-less together, to a 
nearby tree. They are extremely tiny and I'd estimate their size to be 3 - 
3.5". 

Thanks for any help,

Rick Mabry
Shreveport, LA

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Date: 25 Jul 2002 21:44:56 -0700
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From: Les Chibana <[[email protected]]>
Subject: Re: [SBB] a visitor's question
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Rick, 

These "little cuties" are Bushtits. The first image is of a female with
pale yellowish eyes. They are not very easy to photograph. I commend 
you on a nice image!

Les Chibana, Palo Alto CA

On Wednesday, July 24, 2002 9:03 AM, Rick Mabry <[[email protected]]> wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I hope I am not too off-base posting this question here, but I have exhausted 
>my own resouces and stamina trying to identify these little cuties, which I 
>saw while walking some roads in the hills of San Jose:
>
>http://204.196.65.190/~rmabry/california-2002/diana-and-john/tinybirds1.jpg
>
>http://204.196.65.190/~rmabry/california-2002/diana-and-john/tinybirds2.jpg
>
>The small tree was covered with dozens of these birds, flitting about very 
>rapidly, hanging upside down, and being generally entertaining.  (But I 
>couldn't get a decent picture.) They seemed to be gobbling up tiny insects. 
>When they decided I was too close they flew off, more-or-less together, to a 
>nearby tree. They are extremely tiny and I'd estimate their size to be 3 - 
>3.5". 
>
>Thanks for any help,
>
>Rick Mabry
>Shreveport, LA
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