Photos by Marian Mendez, winner of Summer 2008 Beautiful Birds in Urban Places Challenge/Contest

Learn more about our seasonal challenges/contests

Boat-tailed Grackle, male

Boat-tailed Grackles, male

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird, scratching

Northern Mockingbird, show position

 Northern Mockingbird, tail up, carrying food

 Northern Mockingbird, head backward

House Sparrow, fluffed, from behind

Boat-tailed Grackle, before lift-off

Green Heron, upright

Boat-tailed Grackle, in flight,  and Northern Mockingbird, perched

Loggerhead Shrike, perched and waiting

Loggerhead Shrike, perched on man-made object

House Sparrow, hopping

Boat-tailed Grackle, female, at edge of pool