A large iridescent black bird with a long V-shaped tail and pale yellow eyes. Despite "common" in the name, populations have declined ~58% since 1970.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The common grackle is an icterid bird found in large numbers through much of North America. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus and has three officially recognized subspecies. Adult common grackles have a long and dark bill, pale yellow eyes, and a long tail. Adults often have a bluish iridescent appearance on their head, this feature being more pronounced on males. Common grackles can be found widely across North America east of the Rocky Mountains and are highly adaptable to their environment.
Source: Wikipedia — Common grackle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Large blackbird with iridescent body and pale yellow eyes. Long V-shaped tail.
Similar species. Boat-tailed Grackle (larger, longer tail). Brewer's Blackbird (smaller).
Voice. Wide variety: chirps, squawks, mechanical clicks.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects (especially caterpillars), seeds, fruits.
Behavior. Highly social; forms massive winter flocks in some areas. Populations declining significantly.
§ Range
Eastern and central US year-round
§ Habitat
Open habitats, parks, farms, suburbs, marshes
§ Threats
Pesticide bioaccumulation, agricultural lethal control programs, habitat shifts.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the common grackle is currently classified as Near Threatened.
§ What helps
Don't use lethal blackbird controls. Skip pesticides. Tolerate flocks visiting feeders.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Common grackle
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Quiscalus quiscula
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22724325
- iNaturalist · taxon 10095
- eBird · comgra
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Quiscalus quiscula
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
