The male Grackle is dark, sort of a shimmery black and bluish-purple. The female Grackle is shades of brown.

This female Boat-tailed Grackle just caught a fish. See the bubble in the water behind her? That's where she seemed to skim the surface, but look closer at her beak, it's a little fish.

For the whole story and much better pictures, check out my newer page about these birds: Boat-tailed Grackle Page Two.