Blackbird

Blackbird. An 8 x 10 acrylic painting
by Mark Phillips

Blackbirds

The latest addition to my "Birds of Barbados" collection.

The Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris), commonly called the Blackbird, is one of the most common birds in Barbados. Usually seen parading with its head held high, this jet black beauty has an air of regal elegance associated with it.

This is what I was trying to capture in this piece. The Blackbird always seems to be in control. He is the boss of all he sees. This is not a bird that gets concerned about human presence, they travel in flocks confidently going about their business.

I did this painting from a photograph and it was completed in about 3 hours. Usually, I work on multiple pieces at the same time, alternating between them. I find that the work always appears fresh to me this way. However, with this piece I worked from start to finish on it in one sitting. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Blackbirds in Barbados have a long, slender curved black beak and yellowish eyes. Its’ long wedge-shaped tail and black plumaged body reflect a rainbow of colours amidst the sun.  

Blackbirds like most birds love crumbs and leftovers but they've also been seen eagerly eating Giant African Snails right here in Barbados. Once the snail is dead and in some instances alive, they can be seen picking at them in an effort to take part in what may very well be considered a delicacy in bird land. Escargot anyone? 

Blackbirds are very aggressive especially when nesting. As children, we learned early not to mess with blackbird nests. They will attack humans and animals alike if they think you’re dangerously close to their territory. And the fact that these birds breed in colonies means that you can find several deep cup-shaped nests in one tree at any given time. There was a stand of casuarina trees just across from my grandmother's house that could prove very challenging to negotiate during the breeding season.

Males are very purposeful when the nesting period comes around. They take flight with their respective partners and even get involved in the nest building process. However, soon after the mating process, they are quick to leave their mates and babies behind to take care of themselves.

In his book, Explore Barbados, Harry S. Pariser asserts that blackbirds were used as fighting birds by attaching needles to their legs.  

"A slender young blackbird built in a thorn-tree:

A spruce little fellow as ever could be;

His bill was so yellow, his feathers so black,

So long was his tail, and so glossy his back,

That good Mrs. B., who sat hatching her eggs,

And only just left them to stretch her poor legs,

And pick for a minute the worm she preferred,

Thought there never was seen such a beautiful bird."

- Dinah Craik

 — The Blackbird and the Rooks; reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 71.

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work and a little about what makes me tick, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com