Speaking of birds, I just had quite an interesting encounter. I am trying to incorporate some very nice used carob bricks into my BBQ which is already built into some very large rocks adjacent to my pond. It is very challenging to try and meld the two materials together. I am totally engrossed trying to figure it out and out of nowhere comes a loud whoosh and a thud and an immature yet still very sizeable bald eagle flopping around at my feet. I'm not sure what attracted him, perhaps my koi but maybe he dove, saw me and tried to swoop out. He flew right into the glass rail of my deck and knocked himself cookoo. I calmly talked him through it until the cobwebs subsided and he was able to fly off to hunt another day. You talk about an adrenaline rush!!!!!! Here's a picture of the BBQ I was working on. I had just demo-ed the fake brick off the front when the eagle hit the glass panel on the deck stairs. Here is a link that might be useful:

Correct on both ID's & yes, many birds' bills change color as they mature. Also some bills are different color in breeding season vs. non-breeding season & there are some male vs. female bill differences also.

Maybe a Common Grackle? Right now I'm hearing them making a lot of chit..chit.. sounds, alternating with a sort of creaking. Claire

Thanks everyone! I also posted on the bird forum and they seem to think it is a blue grouse. He said it was pretty big and when he came toward it to take a pic, it raised it's wings and came toward him like it was coming after him. haha, I think he was overreacting a bit :)