Acadia National Park

Description  ADULT BREEDING MALE Has black plumage overall; in good light, has purple sheen on head and blue-green sheen to back, wings, and breast. Note the pale iris. ADULT NONBREEDING MALE Duller, due to brownish feather edges, which gradually wear off. ADULT FEMALE Rather uniform dark gray-brown, darkest on wings and tail. Iris is dark in most birds. IMMATURES Similar to respective sex winter adults.

Dimensions  Length: 8-10" (20-25 cm)

Habitat  Commoner west of range covered by this book, but still a widespread summer visitor to farmland and other open habitats. Migrates south in fall and winters in southeastern U.S. Range has expanded overall due to human alteration of natural environment.

Observation Tips  Easy to see and often tame in suburban parks and gardens.

Range  Mid-Atlantic, Eastern Canada, Southeast, Texas, New England, Northwest, Western Canada, California, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Florida, Alaska, Plains, Great Lakes

Voice  Song is a piercing, squeaky whistle, sometimes followed by call-like tchak notes.

Discussion  Widespread and familiar colonially nesting bird. Often bold in suburban locations. Sexes are dissimilar.