About the Carib Grackle
The Carib grackle is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found throughout the Lesser Antilles, across northern South America from Colombia to extreme northeastern Brazil, and on several islands off South America's northern coast.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Male Carib grackles average 26 cm (10 in) long and females about 22 cm (8.7 in). Males weigh 66 to 80 g (2.3 to 2.8 oz) and females 49 to 58 g (1.7 to 2.0 oz). Males of all subspecies have a long keel-shaped ("V") tail; females' tails are shorter and flat. Adult males of the nominate subspecies Q. l. lugubris are completely black with a violet gloss on most of the body; it is slightly less strong on the underparts. The gloss is more violet-blue on the wing coverts and greener on the flight feathers. Voice: The Carib grackle's song varies among the subspecies but is "generally a series of squeaky notes". In the Antilles its vocalization is generally "3-7 syllables with rising inflection" and also "whistles and chucks". On Martinique it makes "a descending, Molothrus-like whistle followed by a complex warble" and on Trinidad "a series of rhythmic rattles ending in metallic sound".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Carib Grackle lives
When to see the Carib Grackle
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Greater Antillean GrackleQuiscalus nigerThe Greater Antillean grackle is 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long.
Nicaraguan GrackleQuiscalus nicaraguensisIt is a medium-sized bird with a long, graduated tail and fairly long bill and legs.
Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus majorThe male boat-tailed grackle is 37–43 cm (15–17 in) long and weighs 165–250 g (5.8–8.8 oz).
Side by side: Carib Grackle vs Common Grackle · Carib Grackle vs Great-tailed Grackle · Boat-tailed Grackle vs Carib Grackle · Carib Grackle vs Greyish Baywing · Carib Grackle vs Greater Antillean Grackle
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