Common Grackle or Boat-Tailed Grackle?

General appearance

The common grackle is about the size of a crow, bearing a distinctive long tail with a crease down the middle. Coloring varies with two forms presented, namely, the 'Bronzed Grackle' and the 'Purple Grackle.' The former spots a bronzy body offset by a blue-black head while the latter shines with glosses of purple and green, offering less contrast.

Male vs female

Physical variations between the sexes are not explicitly stated. However, based on the Bronzed and Purple forms noted, it could be inferred that some slight difference in color intensity and gloss may exist.

Juvenile

Juvenile grackles present dark eyes in contrast to the whitish-yellow eye color observed in adults. Molting, a period prevalent in late summer, results in these younger birds having short or fragmented tails.

Primary habitat

Common grackles are often found in open or semi-open landscapes such as farmland, pastures, suburban lawns and towns. They tend to nest and roost in places with dense coniferous trees near open areas.

Additional range

Beyond typical rural and suburban settings, these birds can also be found foraging in cattle feedlots and marshes, and residing on the edges of woodlands and in parks.

Natural diet

The common grackle is an omnivorous bird, feeding on a wide variety of items. Its natural diet includes insects like beetle grubs, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as spiders, millipedes, and earthworms. It also consumes crayfish, minnows, frogs, lizards, eggs and young of other birds, and small rodents. In addition to animal prey, the grackle eats vegetable matter, which becomes more dominant in its diet during winter. This includes berries, seeds, waste grain, and acorns.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, common grackles often consume seeds such as sunflower seeds and cracked corn. They are known to be aggressive at feeders and may also eat suet and peanuts, taking advantage of the variety of offerings typically available at these feeding stations.