Common Grackle (also European Starling or Tree Swallow)

This feather exhibits the characteristic iridescent blue-green structural color of passerines like the Common Grackle or European Starling. Under direct lighting, microscopic nanostructures on the feather barbs refract light, creating a vivid metallic shimmer against a dark melanin backdrop.

Base is charcoal-grey to dark brownish-black, transitioning into a striking structural iridescent sheen along the outer edge ranging from iridescent blue to teal/cyan depending on light refraction.

Pennaceous along the distal two-thirds with structural iridescence; loose, downy plumulaceous structure near the calamus base.

Rachis is thin, dark grey-brown, and curved. Barbs are tightly spaced in the pennaceous region, angling gracefully toward the tip.

Smooth and glossy on the iridescent outer vane, soft and plumulaceous at the basal anchor point.

Body contour feather, likely from the mantle, back, or wing covert region.

Dark grey base with vibrant blue-teal structural iridescence along the outer vane edge and a fluffy plumulaceous base.

Open woodlands, agricultural fields, suburban areas, parks, marshes, and urban environments.

Widespread across North America east of the Rocky Mountains, migrating south from northern Canada during winter months.

Common Grackles are versatile omnivores that control insect populations, consume seeds, and serve as important seed dispersers within suburban and agricultural ecosystems.

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), and Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri).

The blue color on this feather is not caused by blue pigment, but rather structural color produced by microscopic light interference within the feather's keratine-melanin matrix.

Iridescent blackbird and starling feathers were historically used in fly-tying for fishing lures and decorative featherwork.

Look for small body feathers with dark grey basal down and iridescent blue-green sheen along roosting areas or lawn foraging sites during late summer molt.

Good condition with minor separation (fraying) along the inner vane edge, likely molted naturally.