Distinguishing Features – Common grackle is completely black with highly iridescent greenish blue or purplish reflections. Beak and legs, black; eye, whitish; tail, long and wedge-shaped. The colouring of the female is somewhat duller.
- Size – 28 – 34 cm
- (11.25 – 13.5 in)
Habitat
Prefers open areas and lightly treed woods.
Nesting
In trees usually in colonies. Bulky nest of sticks, grass, and weeds, generally kept together with mud, lined with fine grass.
Eggs, 4 – 6; pale bluish or greenish marked with bold splotches. The incubation period is 11 – 14 days.
Notes
Common Grackle is a social bird and is mostly seen in flocks. Their diet consists mainly of insects, worms, seeds, grains, fruits, and if the opportunity arises, the eggs of other birds..
The song can be compared to a rusty gate hinge; it is short, squeaky, and dischordant – usually a bold Chuck.
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