Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus
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
Greater Antillean Grackle
Quiscalus niger
The Greater Antillean grackle is 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long. Males weigh about 67 to 100 g (2.4 to 3.5 oz) except those of Q. n. crassirostris which average 112 g (4.0 oz). Females weigh about 50 to 72 g (1.8 to 2.5 oz) except those of Q. n. crassirostris which average 79 g (2.8 oz). Males have a long graduated tail which it holds in a "V" shape; females' tails are shorter and held flat. Adults of both sexes of all subspecies are entirely black; males are glossy and most females are less so. The nominate subspecies Q. n. niger is the smallest. Voice: The Greater Antillean grackle's song varies greatly among the subspecies "but (for a grackle) is relatively musical". Songs have been described as "a metallic cling-cling-cling and flute-like whistles". Its calls include "chuk or chuk-chuk or chin-chin-chilin high wee-si-si and harsh notes".
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where you might meet both
Learn this pair in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
Play BeakBrainPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great-tailed Grackle and Greater Antillean Grackle.