Common Grackle
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
At a Glance
Throughout the east and Midwest, the Common Grackle is a big blackbird and is a very familiar species on suburban lawns, striding about with deliberate steps as it searches for insects. The Common Grackle often nest in small colonies, and several males may perch in adjacent treetops to sing their creaking, grating songs. Big flocks are often seen flying overhead in the evening, heading for major communal roosts, especially from late summer through winter.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Blackbirds and Orioles, Perching Birds
IUCN Status
Near Threatened
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Landfills and Dumps, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
Eastern Canada, Florida, Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, New England, Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, Western Canada
Behavior
Direct Flight, Hopping, Walking
Population
67.000.000
Range & Identification
Migration & Range Maps
The Common Grackle migrates in flocks during the day and is a partial migrant; present all year in much of its eastern United States range. In the North, migration is quite early in spring and fairly late in fall.
Description
Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 11-13.4 in (28-34 cm); wingspan 14-18 in (36-46 cm); weight: 2.6-5 oz (74-142 g). The male Common Grackle is glossy black overall with an iridescent bluish or purplish head, neck, and breast; the female is less glossy. The Common Grackle has a long tail with "crease" down middle, whitish-yellow eyes, strong bill. Two forms: on widespread "Bronzed Grackle," bronzy body contrasts with blue-black head; "Purple Grackle" of southeast has purple and green gloss, less contrast. Juveniles have dark eyes. Molting birds in late summer have short or ragged tails.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Purple, Yellow
Wing Shape
Rounded
Tail Shape
Long, Rounded, Wedge-shaped
Songs and Calls
Clucks; high-pitched sharp and harsh call, like a rusty hinge.
Call Type
Buzz, High, Whistle
Habitat
Farmland, towns, groves, streamsides. Common in many kinds of open or semi-open country. Often forages in farm fields, pastures, suburban lawns, cattle feedlots, marshes. Nests and roosts in places with dense trees (especially conifers) close to open areas, as in groves, woodland edges, parks.
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Behavior
Eggs
1-7. Pale blue to light gray, blotched with brown. Incubation is by the female Common Grackle only, 11-15 days.
Young
Both the male and female Common Grackle feed nestlings, bringing them mostly insects. Young leave the nest about 10-17 days after hatching. 1-2 broods per year.
Feeding Behavior
Forages mostly by walking on ground or wading in very shallow water; also up in trees and shrubs. When not nesting, the Common Grackle usually forages in flocks. Sometimes steals food from the American Robin or other birds. Has been seen killing the adult House Sparrow. Will come to feeders for various grain or seed items.
Diet
Omnivorous. Mostly consumes agricultural grains and seeds during the winter or migration. Also feeds on insects in the summer, including beetle grubs, grasshoppers, caterpillars, many others; also spiders, millipedes, earthworms, and such diverse items as crayfish, minnows, frogs, lizards, eggs and young of other birds, and small rodents.
Nesting
The Common Grackle typically nests in small colonies of 10-30 pairs, sometimes to 100 or more. In courtship, the male Common Grackle fluffs out body feathers, partly spreads wings and tail, and gives short scraping song; also postures with bill pointing straight up. Nest site is often well hidden among branches of dense tree or shrubs near water, less than 20 ft above ground; sometimes much higher, or very low in marsh growth. Unusual sites include hole in tree or hollow stump, in lower part of active Osprey nest, or inside old building. The nest is built by the female Common Grackle and is bulky open cup of weeds, grass, twigs, usually with some mud added; inside lined with fine grass.
Conservation
Conservation Status
The Common Grackle is threatened and considered a pest in North America. However, the Common Grackle is widespread and very common, and has been expanding its range toward the west in recent decades.
Climate Threats Facing the Common Grackle
Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.
