Beautiful Brewer's Blackbird

I have always liked these opportunistic little birds, who I find so often in parking lots and around eating areas. They have glossy, raven-black plumage with an iridescent sheen of purple on their heads and green-blue on their bodies. (I found a series of beautiful images of these birds in different lighting that shows the raven black color, and also some females! Thanks to Anne McCaffrey to her incredible photography!) I was delighted that the sun illuminated this bird perfectly to show how pretty they are! (By the way, this bird is relaxing with one foot tucked up under its body)

From Oregon State University:

Highly adaptable, this ubiquitous species may be found in habitats as diverse as coastal marshes, sagebrush, shrub-steppe, and urban supermarket parking lots. The adult male is blackish, showing a purplish sheen on the head and a greenish sheen on his back. It's eyes are yellowish to creamy white. Females and juveniles are dusky brown above and grayish brown below, with paler throat and eyebrows, and brown eyes.

The Brewer's Blackbird is a common permanent resident along the coast. West of the Cascades it is common to abundant in inland valleys. Within the Cascades, they are a migrant and summer resident in meadows and at human settlements. East of the Cascades, they are an abundant summer resident and uncommon winter resident. It is found in open areas such as grasslands, pastures, lawns, golf courses, agricultural fields, alpine meadows and beaches and is very common in urban areas. You can hear the sound of a Brewer's Blackbird here: Brewer's Blackbird song