11-13 1/2" (28-34 cm). Black head, tail and underparts; back, wings, and flanks
are Iridescent. Have yellow eyes and
long tail. Quiscalus
quiscula
(Common Grackle)
Physical
Description:
11-13 1/2" (28-34 cm).
Black head, tail and underparts; back, wings, and flanks are Iridescent. Have yellow eyes and
long tail.
Similar Species- Great-tailed Grackle, Brewer's Blackbird
Song:
Hoarse,
creaking call like a rusty hinge.
Distribution:
Breeds
from northeastern British Columbia, east across portions of Canada, south to
southern Texas, Gulf Coast, and southern Florida, and west to Wyoming, Colorado,
and New Mexico. Winters from Kansas, southern Great Lakes region, New England
and Nova Scotia, south to southeastern New Mexico, southern Texas, Gulf Coast,
and Florida. Breeder in urban areas of southeastern Idaho; invaded Idaho successfully
as a nester in 1970's.
Diet:
Eats
various invertebrates, grain, seeds, fruits, sometimes small vertebrates, and
birds' eggs.
Ecology:
Builds cup-shaped nest, frequently in
tree, but sometimes in shrub or human-built structure. Nests usually in loose
colonies. Forages on ground, in shrubs and trees, and in shallow water. roosts communially in large flocks
(sometimes greater than 100,000 individuals) in summer and fall in northeastern
U.S.; often roosts with starlings.
4-7 eggs (commonly 5-6),
for 12-14 days. Young are tended by both sexes, leave nest at 10- 17 days, and
remain in nest vicinity for 2-3 days. Female may produce 2 broods/yr.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPBXB6070 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S2,NTMB |
| National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
Taylor, D.M. and C.H.
Trost. 1985. The Common Grackle in Idaho. Am. Birds 39:217-218.