Common Grackle - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Icteridae (Blackbirds and Orioles - 23 Species)
SPECIES: Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

Common Grackle
The Common Grackle are gradually extending their range west.
SIZE	A medium sized (10-12”) blackbird.
DESCRIPTION	The Common Grackle has plumage that is an iridescent black and a long dark bill, bright yellow eyes and a long round tail. Adult females are slightly smaller and less iridescent.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 4-7 eggs, which are incubated in 12 to 14 days. The nest is usually a well-concealed cup in dense evergreen trees, such as pine trees, but will nest in shrubs or cattails.
RANGE	It breeds open areas throughout North America east of the Rocky Mountains. They are permanent residents in much of their range. Most others winter in the southeastern U.S.
HABITAT	They habitat agricultural fields, wet meadows, swamps, marshes, shrub lots and lawns in urban areas.
DIET	Varies widely, it includes insects and grain with crayfish, frogs, mice, eggs and even small birds.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Common Grackle

Sapsucker Woods Tompkins County, New York	Groton Township Tompkins County, New York


CmGk_358T_034904	CmGk_358T_049425

Purple Grackle Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes