Bird Guide

Boat-tailed Grackle vs Great-tailed Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

Medium151 gWetland

The male boat-tailed grackle is 37–43 cm (15–17 in) long and weighs 165–250 g (5.8–8.8 oz). Adult males have entirely iridescent black plumage, a long dark bill, a pale yellowish or brown iris, and a long keel-shaped tail. The adult female is much smaller at 26–33 cm (10–13 in) long and a weight of 90–115 g (3.2–4.1 oz). She is also distinguished by her shorter tail and tawny-brown coloration, which covers the body apart from the darker wings and tail. The wingspan in adult birds is 39–50 cm (15–20 in). In standard measurements, this species measures 13–20 cm (5.1–7. Voice: Its song is a harsh jeeb, and it has a variety of typically grackle-like chatters and squeaks. Their call lacks of whistles and clucks typical of the great-tailed grackle.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: JeffreyGammon · CC BY 4.0
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Medium160 gUrban

Great-tailed grackles are medium-sized birds (larger than starlings and smaller than crows; 38–46 cm (15–18 in) with males weighing 203–265 g (7.2–9.3 oz) and females 115–142 g (4.1–5.0 oz), and both sexes have long tails. Wingspan ranging 48–58 cm (19–23 in). Males are iridescent black with a purple-blue sheen on the feathers of the head and upper body, while females are brown with darker wings and tail. Adults of both sexes have bright yellow eyes, while juveniles of both sexes have brown eyes and brown plumage like females (except for streaks on the breast). Voice: Great-tailed grackles have an unusually large repertoire of vocalizations that are used year-round. The sounds range from "sweet, tinkling notes" to a "rusty gate hinge". Males use a wider variety of vocalization types, while females engage mostly in "chatter", however there is a report of a female performing the "territorial song".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Gean Carlo Valdés · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Boat-tailed Grackle and Great-tailed Grackle.