Hatchlings Answer Revealed...

A couple of days ago I posted an image of hatchlings and asked if you could guess the species. Thanks for the guesses, it wasn't easy! None of you got the answer though...which is Common Grackle:S3: I suppose Phil was closest with "blackbird" (for you not in N.A. the Common Grackle is all black with some blue on the head). Here you can see the ladder and top of my head reflected in the eye.

Canon 7D + 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/80s., f/4.5, ISO 1600, full-frame, darkened the ULC (which is a "stucco" type wall) and also darkened LRC. A few spots removed from bill (spot removal tool). NR to BG and FG.

Wonderful detail in the eye, they really are a beautiful bird, I just wish they would just stop eating all on my woodpecker food !!!! :)

Stunning blue Daniel...weird catchlight for sure....comb your hair next time LOL

Wonderful colors and details on bird, Daniel Sir.
Love the reflection in the eye ,great details and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

Don't recall ever seeing such a nice image of a common grackle sitting on a nest. Very cool!, but beyond that, very well done. The eye detail is exquisite, as are all the colors you achieved on this "blackbird's" plumage.

He he, not as exotic as some may have wished, no doubt:S3: Glad you can see the beauty in this very common, loud, and obnoxious "pest" bird (pest according to most tending bird feeders).