Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Quiscalus quiscula"

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{{Taxobox
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{{Bird id
| color = pink
 
 
| name = Common Grackle
 
| name = Common Grackle
| status = LC
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| latin_name = Quiscalus quiscula
| image = Quiscalus-quiscula-001.jpg
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| level = 4
| image_width = 240px
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| image_1 = Quiscalus-quiscula-001.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| caption_1 = Common Grackle
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| description = The {{units|32 cm|12.5 inch}} long adults have a long dark bill, a pale yellowish eye and a long tail; their plumage is an iridescent black. Adult females are slightly smaller and less glossy.
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
 
| ordo = [[passerine|Passeriformes]]
 
| familia = [[Icterid]]ae
 
| genus = ''[[Quiscalus]]''
 
| species = '''''Q. quiscula'''''
 
| binomial = ''Quiscalus quiscula''
 
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
 
}}
 
  
The '''Common Grackle''', ''Quiscalus quiscula'', is a large [[icterid|blackbird]].
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Their breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas across North America east of the Rocky Mountains. The nest is a well-concealed cup in dense trees (particularly pine) or shrubs, usually near water; sometimes, they will nest in cavities or in man-made structures. They often nest in colonies, some being quite large.
  
The 32 cm long adults have a long dark bill, a pale yellowish eye and a long tail; their [[Feather|plumage]] is an [[Iridescence|iridescent]] black. Adult females are slightly smaller and less glossy.
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This bird is a permanent resident in much of its range. Northern birds migrate in flocks to the southeastern United States.
  
Their breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas across [[North America]] east of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. The nest is a well-concealed cup in dense trees (particularly pine) or shrubs, usually near water; sometimes, they will nest in cavities or in man-made structures. They often nest in colonies, some being quite large.
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These birds forage on the ground, in shallow water or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds and grain, even small birds.
 
 
This [[Aves|bird]] is a permanent resident in much of its range. Northern birds [[bird migration|migrate]] in flocks to the southeastern [[United States]].
 
 
 
These birds forage on the ground, in shallow water or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], eating [[insect]]s, [[minnow]]s, [[frog]]s, [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s, [[Berry|berries]], [[seed]]s and [[cereal|grain]], even small birds.
 
  
 
This bird's song is particularly harsh, especially when these birds, in a flock, are calling.
 
This bird's song is particularly harsh, especially when these birds, in a flock, are calling.
  
 
The range of this bird expanded west as forests were cleared. In some areas, they are now considered a pest by farmers because of their large numbers and fondness for grain.
 
The range of this bird expanded west as forests were cleared. In some areas, they are now considered a pest by farmers because of their large numbers and fondness for grain.
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}}
  
Some species of Grackle are confused with an [[American Crow]] when people unfamiliar with bird identification are asked to identify a dead blackbird.  This usually occurs when birds need to be identified as candidates for [[West Nile virus]].
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[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]]
 
 
==Photo gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
Image:Common Grackle - markings.jpg|Irridescent back
 
Image:Common_Grackle_Leucistic.jpg|[[Leucistic]]
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==References==
 
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=54166|title=Quiscalus quiscula|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
 
 
 
==External links==
 
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=9710 Common Grackle videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
 
 
 
[[Category:Icteridae]]
 
[[Category:Avifauna of Quebec]]
 
 
 
[[de:Purpur-Grackel]]
 
[[ja:オオクロムクドリモドキ]]
 

Revision as of 18:40, 5 July 2012

Quiscalus quiscula (Common Grackle)
Common Grackle
Description
The 32 cm12.5 inch long adults have a long dark bill, a pale yellowish eye and a long tail; their plumage is an iridescent black. Adult females are slightly smaller and less glossy.

Their breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas across North America east of the Rocky Mountains. The nest is a well-concealed cup in dense trees (particularly pine) or shrubs, usually near water; sometimes, they will nest in cavities or in man-made structures. They often nest in colonies, some being quite large.

This bird is a permanent resident in much of its range. Northern birds migrate in flocks to the southeastern United States.

These birds forage on the ground, in shallow water or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds and grain, even small birds.

This bird's song is particularly harsh, especially when these birds, in a flock, are calling.

The range of this bird expanded west as forests were cleared. In some areas, they are now considered a pest by farmers because of their large numbers and fondness for grain.