Quiscalus quiscula
The Common Grackle is a noisy, cocky bird that prefers to feed on the ground in open areas. Birdfeeders in rural areas can attract large numbers of these blackish birds, whose cranky disposition drives away most other birds (even the quarrelsome jays and House Sparrows). The Common Grackle is a poor, but spirited, singer. Usually while perched in a shrub, a male grackle will slowly take a deep breath that inflates his breast and causes his feathers to rise; then he closes his eyes and gives out a loud, surprising swaaaack. Despite our perception of the Common Grackle's musical weakness, after his 'song' the male proudly poses with his bill held high. The population of Common Grackles in the Rockies is increasing because of expansion from the east. Quiscalus is New Latin for 'quail,' which a grackle really does not resemble. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: glossy black plumage; overall purple iridescence; long, keeled tail; yellow eyes; heavy bill; female is smaller and duller than the male. In flight: tail resembles a flattened, vertical rudder. Size: L 11-131/2 in. (28-34 cm). Range: uncommon migrant and summer breeder in western Colorado valleys and in Utah; rare elsewhere in the Rockies. Habitat: fields, wet meadows, urban areas, shorelines and willow shrublands up to the lower subalpine. Nesting: semi-colonial; in a tree, often near water; bulky cup nest is made of twigs, grass, mud, feathers and occasionally trash; female incubates 3-6 eggs for 12-14 days. Feeding: slowly struts along the ground, gleaning, snatching and probing for beetles, earthworms, grasshoppers, larval invertebrates, seeds, grain and fruit; also catches insects in flight and eats small vertebrates, including bird eggs. Voice: call is a quick, loud swaaaack. Similar Species: Rusty Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbird: smaller; lack the heavy bill and the keeled tail. European Starling: very short tail; long, thin bill. Red-winged Blackbird male has a red shoulder patch and a shorter tail. |
