Maybe it had a near miss with a predator.

-- 
June Tveekrem
Columbia, Maryland
tweekiebird|AT|southernspreadwing.com
http://SouthernSpreadwing.com



George Lane wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> I have had about 5  common grackles coming to my feeder.  One has no 
> tail feathers at all.  It does not fly well and zooms around the yard 
> at about 3 feet off the ground and crash lands.  Other than the 
> missing tail feathers, it seems well and eats alot.  Also visits the 
> bird bath frequently.  I am wondering why this big bird has no 
> tail???  It seems to be living on the ground under bushes or in the 
> ivy since it never flies higher than about 3 feet off the ground.
>
> George Lane
> Silver Spring (inside of the Beltway)