Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula

Physical Description
Grackles are blackbirds, with iridescent purple -blue feathers on the back, neck and head. Their legs and heads are also black; they have yellow eyes, and a long tail. Grackles measure 11-13 inches in length, have a wingspan of 14-18 inches, and weigh anywhere from 2.6 – 5 ounces


Distribution
Common Grackles are found in most of Eastern North America. They are found in central Canada stretching to the east coast, down into the central U.S., to the east coast. Grackles have been expanding into western parts of North America.

Habitat
Common grackles are found in open areas with scattered trees, in forest and urban areas. They can also be found in farmlands, orchards and swamps, savannahs, suburban and agricultural settings. 

Diet
Grackles forage mostly on the ground, but will also look to trees, and shrubs as food sources. They are omnivorous, eating insects, invertebrates, small fish and amphibians, mice, small bats, seeds, grains, acorns, and some fruits. Grackles will also eat bird eggs and nestlings, and the occasional adult bird.

Behavior
Grackles roost together in large numbers at night up to the thousands. Many times these roosts will include other bird species such as starlings, and brown-headed cowbirds. They are foragers who will go as far as stealing other birds’ meals to eat. Grackles migrate in mixed species flocks, and make seasonal movements between breeding and wintering sites, however grackles living in gulf states with a more agreeable climate will stay year round.

Reproduction
Nesting Grackle pairs will roost individually or on colonies, sometimes up to 200 pairs per colony. They are very territorial of their nesting sites. Female grackles choose the nesting site, and construct large bulky nests. They lay between 1-7 eggs, which are incubated 12-14 days. The young leave their nest 12-15 days after hatching.

Conservation status
One of the most successful widespread species in north America.

Voice
Grackles have a harsh "readle-eak” that the send out. Many equate this to a squeaky gate.

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