Species Profile
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Quick Facts
Conservation
NTNear ThreatenedAlso known as: Crow Blackbird
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Appearance
The Common Grackle is a striking bird with glossy black plumage that shimmers with iridescent purple, blue, and green hues in bright light. Males are larger and more colorful, with a long, keel-shaped tail and bright yellow eyes contrasting sharply with their dark feathers.
Females are slightly smaller and less iridescent, with a brown body and shorter tail. Juveniles resemble females but have dark eyes that gradually lighten to yellow as they mature.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Purple
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Male Markings
Iridescent body, long dark bill
Tail: Long and keel-shaped in flight
Female Markings
Duller plumage with less iridescence
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Common Grackles are widely distributed across North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. They thrive in diverse habitats, including open woodlands, marshes, suburban areas, and agricultural lands. These adaptable birds are particularly common in human-modified landscapes.
They are found throughout the eastern and central United States and southern Canada during the breeding season. In winter, northern populations migrate south, with large concentrations in the southeastern United States, making them a year-round presence in many areas.
Distribution
Diet
Common Grackles are opportunistic omnivores with a varied diet. They primarily feed on insects, seeds, and grains but also consume small fish, frogs, and even other birds' eggs or nestlings.
They've adapted to scavenge human food scraps in urban areas, showcasing their dietary flexibility.
Behaviour
Common Grackles are highly social birds, often seen foraging in large flocks on the ground. They have a distinctive walking strut and frequently engage in communal roosting, gathering in massive numbers during non-breeding seasons.
These birds are known for their intelligence and adaptability, often seen using tools to manipulate food items.
Calls & Sounds
Common Grackles have a diverse vocal repertoire. Their most recognizable call is a harsh, creaky 'readle-eak' or 'chlack.' Males produce a variety of whistles, croaks, and guttural sounds during courtship.
In flocks, they create a cacophony of chatters and squeaks, often described as sounding like a rusty gate opening.
Nesting & Breeding
Common Grackles begin their breeding season in early spring, with males performing elaborate displays to attract mates. They often nest in loose colonies, sometimes alongside other blackbird species.
Females construct bulky nests of grass, twigs, and mud, typically placed in dense foliage of trees or shrubs. The nest cup is lined with fine grasses. A clutch usually consists of 4-7 pale blue to pearl gray eggs marked with brown blotches.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, primarily done by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about 16-20 days. Grackles often raise two broods per season in warmer regions.
Conservation
Listed as Near Threatened, Common Grackle populations have declined by over 50% since the 1970s due to habitat loss and agricultural practices.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving diverse habitats and promoting bird-friendly farming methods to support their recovery.
Population
Estimated: 67,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Populations decreasing due to habitat loss and pesticides
Elevation
Sea level to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 2.5cm x 3.5cm
- Predators:
- Common Grackle predators include hawks, owls, and larger mammals such as raccoons and cats. Their eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to snakes, crows, and squirrels.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, piercing calls
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Primarily in the morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, pesticides
- Parental care:
- Both parents feed chicks, but only female incubates
- Primary calls:
- Harsh, grating calls
- Social habits:
- Highly social, forms large roosts in winter
- Egg appearance:
- Pale blue to gray with dark markings
- Feeding habits:
- Forages on ground and in trees
- Breeding season:
- Spring to early summer, March to July, usually
- Diet variations:
- Highly varied, opportunistic feeder
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 2 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 10
- Call description:
- A variety of calls including a high-pitched shriek and a low 'chuk'
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, often in large noisy flocks
- Nesting location:
- In trees or shrubs, often near water
- Number of broods:
- One to two
- Incubation period:
- Around 13-14 days
- Nest construction:
- Cup-shaped, made of twigs and lined with softer material
- Migration patterns:
- Migrates south in winter, but some populations are resident
- Migratory patterns:
- Migrates in large flocks, but some populations are resident
- Age related changes:
- Older birds may have more iridescent plumage
- Prey capture method:
- Picks off insects from plants, probes soil for grubs
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends territory during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, but males often have multiple partners
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-7 eggs, usually four
- Interaction with other species:
- Often dominates smaller birds at feeders
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for large flocks in open areas, especially near water sources
- Listen for their distinctive 'readle-eak' call and varied vocalizations
- Observe their unique, keel-shaped tail in flight
- Watch for iridescent plumage shimmering in sunlight
- In the US, check agricultural fields and urban parks during migration seasons
Did You Know?
- Common Grackles can open acorns by holding them with their feet and hammering with their beaks.
- They sometimes practice 'anting,' rubbing ants on their feathers, possibly to deter parasites.
- Grackles can mimic the calls of other bird species and even human sounds.
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