Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a common new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 5 countries, weighing about 105 g. The common grackle is an icterid bird found in large numbers through much of North America.
About the Common Grackle
The common grackle is an icterid bird found in large numbers through much of North America. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus and has three officially recognized subspecies. Adult common grackles have a long and dark bill, pale yellow eyes, and a long tail. Adults often have a bluish iridescent appearance on their head, this feature being more pronounced on males. Common grackles can be found widely across North America east of the Rocky Mountains and are highly adaptable to their environment.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adult common grackles measure from 28 to 34 cm (11 to 13 in) in length, span 36–46 cm (14–18 in) across the wings, and weigh 74–142 g (2.6–5.0 oz). Common grackles are less sexually dimorphic than larger grackle species, but the differences between the sexes can still be noticeable. The male, which averages 122 g (4.3 oz), is larger than the female, at an average of 94 g (3.3 oz). Adults have a long, dark bill, pale yellowish eyes, and a long tail; their feathers appear black with purple, green, or blue iridescence on the head, and primarily bronze sheen in the body plumage.
What the Common Grackle sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Common Grackle?
- Adult common grackles measure from 28 to 34 cm (11 to 13 in) in length, span 36–46 cm (14–18 in) across the wings, and weigh 74–142 g (2.6–5.0 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Common Grackle?
- The Common Grackle is a medium sized bird weighing about 105 g.
- Where can you see a Common Grackle?
- The Common Grackle occurs in 5 countries, including the United States, Canada, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Mexico and Bermuda.
- What does a Common Grackle sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Common Grackle on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Common Grackle?
- The Common Grackle is most easily confused with the Great-tailed Grackle, the Boat-tailed Grackle and the Carib Grackle.
- Is the Common Grackle endangered?
- The Common Grackle is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Common Grackle for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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