When we went to Cancun, Mexico in December 2008, I hadn’t yet developed a serious interest in birdwatching. But I couldn’t help but be fascinated by these black birds that seemed to be everywhere in the resort. In the right light, their color seemed to change from black to a purplish green. And their eyes are bright yellow!

As I later found out, these are Great-Tailed Grackles. Sometimes they gathered in groups…

…and sometimes they went for a swim…

We had a great time watching their antics (and also watching as they cleaned up after any guests who left their food unattended for more than a minute!)