Field Guide/Birds/Quiscalus quiscula

The Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, is a large icterid.

The 32 cm 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.

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.

Photo gallery

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  Irridescent back

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  Leucistic

References

• Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

• Common Grackle videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Common Grackle Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
• Common Grackle Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Further reading

Book

• Peer, B. D., and E. K. Bollinger. 1997. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula). In The Birds of North America, No. 271 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Thesis

• Eyer LE. Ph.D. (1954). A LIFE-HISTORY STUDY OF THE BRONZED GRACKLE, QUISCALUS QUISCULA VERSICOLOR (VIELLOT). Michigan State University, United States -- Michigan.

• Ficken RW. Ph.D. (1960). BEHAVIOR OF THE COMMON GRACKLE, QUISCALUS QUISCULA (LINNAEUS). Cornell University, United States -- New York.

• Howe HF, 2nd. Ph.D. (1977). ASPECTS OF PARENTAL INVESTMENT AND SEX-RATIO ADJUSTMENT IN THE COMMON GRACKLE. University of Michigan, United States -- Michigan.

• Huntington CE. Ph.D. (1952). THE SUBSPECIES OF THE PURPLE GRACKLE QUISCALUS QUISCULA. Yale University, United States -- Connecticut.

• Maccarone AD. Ph.D. (1985). USE OF FORAGING SUBSTRATES BY STARLINGS AND COMMON GRACKLES IN RELATION TO FOOD AVAILABILITY (BEHAVIORAL, COMMUNAL ROOSTING, NEW JERSEY). Rutgers The State University of New Jersey - Newark, United States -- New Jersey.

• Maxwell GR, II. Ph.D. (1965). LIFE HISTORY OF THE COMMON GRACKLE, QUISCALUS QUISCULA (LINNAEUS). The Ohio State University, United States -- Ohio.

• Stepney PHR. Ph.D. (1979). COMPETITIVE AND ECOLOGICAL OVERLAP BETWEEN BREWER'S BLACKBIRD AND THE COMMON GRACKLE, WITH CONSIDERATION OF ASSOCIATED FORAGING SPECIES. University of Toronto (Canada), Canada.

• Walley WW. Ph.D. (1965). THE ABSORPTION, METABOLISM, AND ELIMINATION OF DDT IN THE COMMON GRACKLE,QUISCALUS QUISCULA. Mississippi State University, United States -- Mississippi.

• Welker GW. Ph.D. (1962). HELMINTH PARASITES OF THE COMMON GRACKLE QUISCALUS QUISCULA VERSICOLOR VIEILLOT IN INDIANA. The Ohio State University, United States -- Ohio.

• Yang SY. Ph.D. (1968). HYBRIDIZATION IN THE GRACKLE QUISCALUS QUISCULA IN LOUISIANA. The University of Texas at Austin, United States -- Texas.

Articles

• Bartel KE. (1971). Common Grackle Nest Banding Down in 1971. Inland Bird Banding News. vol 43, no 4. p. 102-106.

• Bouvier JM. (1974). The Occupation of an American Robin Nest by a Common Grackle. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol 88, no 4. p. 483-484.

• Brackbill H. (1976). Mourning Dove Common Grackle Cleaning Bills. Wilson Bulletin. vol 88, no 4.

• Bradley JE & Dronen NOJ. (1979). Some Helminth Parasites of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula of Southern Texas USA. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington. vol 46, no 1. p. 149-150.

• Brian DP, Homan HJ & Spencer GS. (2001). Infrequent cowbird parasitism in common grackles revisited: New records from the Northern Great Plains. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 113, no 1. p. 90.

• Buck OD, Cooper CL & Crites JL. (1975). HELMINTH PARASITES OF COMMON GRACKLE (QUISCALUS-QUISCULA-VERSICOLOR) IN CENTRAL OHIO. Journal of Parasitology. vol 61, no 2. p. 380-380.

• Buck OD, Cooper CL & Crites JL. (1975). Helminth Parasites of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula-Versicolor in Central Ohio. Journal of Parasitology. vol 61, no 2.

• Caccamise DF, Lyon LA & Fischl J. (1983). Seasonal Patterns in Roosting Flocks of Starlings Sturnus-Vulgaris and Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula. Condor. vol 85, no 4. p. 474-481.

• Campbell RW & Sirk GP. (1969). Common Grackle Sighted at Vancouver British-Columbia. Murrelet. vol 50, no 3.

• Clark CC, Clark L & Clark L. (1990). "Anting" Behavior by Common Grackles and European Starlings. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 102, no 1. p. 167.

• Clayton DH & Vernon JG. (1993). Common grackle anting with lime fruit and its effect on ectoparasites. Auk. vol 110, no 4. p. 951-952.

• Cooper CL & Crites JL. (1974). Helminth Parasites of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula-Versicolor from South Bass Island Ohio USA. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington. vol 41, no 2. p. 233-237.

• Cooper CL, Madden JE & Crites JL. (1975). Arthropod Parasites of the Common Grackle in Ohio USA. Journal of Medical Entomology. vol 12, no 2.

• Davidson AH. (1994). Common grackle predation on adult Passerines. Wilson Bulletin. vol 106, no 1. p. 174-175.

• Dubois CA. (1969). Grackle Anting with a Mothball Quiscalus-Quiscula. Auk. vol 86, no 1.

• Duszynski DW & Box ED. (1978). The Opossum Didelphis-Virginiana as a Host for Sarcocystis-Debonei from Cowbirds Molothrus-Ater and Grackles Cassidix-Mexicanus Quiscalus-Quiscula. Journal of Parasitology. vol 64, no 2. p. 326-329.

• Elder DH. (2004). Common grackle anting with moth ball. Ontario Birds. vol 22, no 2. p. 97-98.

• Erskine AJ. (1971). Some New Perspectives on the Breeding Ecology of Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula. Wilson Bulletin. vol 83, no 4. p. 352-370.

• Farris J, Fleming M & Smith K. (1977). Helminths of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula in Faulkner County Arkansas USA. Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings. vol 31, no 11.

• Fisk EJ. (1970). Common Grackle Kills Cedar Waxwing in Air. Wilson Bulletin. vol 82, no 4.

• Granath WOJ. (1981). Eufilaria-Hibleri New-Species Nematoda Filarioidea from the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula-Versicolor. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington. vol 48, no 1. p. 17-23.

• Gray DA & Hagelin JC. (1996). Song repertoires and sensory exploitation: Reconsidering the case of the common grackle. Animal Behaviour. vol 52, no 4. p. 795-800.

• Helleiner FM. (1972). Common Grackle at Rankin Inlet Keewatin District. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol 86, no 1.

• Hester RL, Rank RG & Johnson AA. (1981). Immune Response of the Common Grackle to Filarial Infection of the Brain with Chandlerella-Quiscali. Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings. vol 35, no 12.

• Hickman S. (1981). Evidence for Aerodynamic Advantages of Tail Keeling in the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula. Wilson Bulletin. vol 93, no 4. p. 500-505.

• Homan HJ, Linz GM & Bleier WJ. (1994). Effect of crop phenology and habitat on the diet of common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula). American Midland Naturalist. vol 131, no 2. p. 381-385.

• Homan HJ, Linz GM, Bleier WJ & Carlson RB. (1996). Colony-site and nest-site use by Common Grackles in North Dakota. The Wilson Bulletin. vol 108, no 1. p. 104.

• Howe HF. (1976). Egg Size Hatching Asynchrony Sex and Brood Reduction in the Common Grackle. Ecology. vol 57, no 6. p. 1195-1207.

• Howe HF. (1977). Sex Ratio Adjustment in the Common Grackle. Science. vol 198, no 4318. p. 744-746.

• Howe HF. (1978). Initial Investment Clutch Size and Brood Reduction in the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula. Ecology. vol 59, no 6. p. 1109-1122.

• Howe HF. (1979). Evolutionary Aspects of Parental Care in the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula. Evolution. vol 33, no 1 PART 1. p. 41-51.

• Huizinga HW & Granath WOJ. (1984). Seasonal Prevalence of Chandlerella-Quiscali Onchocercidae Filarioidea in Brain of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula-Versicolor. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington. vol 51, no 2. p. 191-195.

• Jackson J. (1985). The Dunking Habit of Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula Insight Learning or Innate Behavior?. American Birds. vol 39, no 3. p. 261-262.

• Kloek GP & Casler CL. (1972). The Lung and Air Sac System of the Common Grackle. Auk. vol 89, no 4. p. 817-825.

• Laporte P. (1974 ). Common Grackle Kills a Barn Swallow. Wilson Bulletin. vol 86, p. 4.

• Larue CT & Ellis DH. (1992). The Common Grackle in Arizona First Specimen Record and Notes on Occurrence. Western Birds. vol 23, no 2. p. 84-86.

• Lenington S & Scola R. (1982). Competition between Red-Winged Blackbirds Agelaius-Phoeniceus and Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula. Wilson Bulletin. vol 94, no 1. p. 90-93.

• Maxwell GR, II. (1970). Pair Formation Nest Building and Egg Laying of the Common Grackle in Northern Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science. vol 70, no 5. p. 284-291.

• Maxwell GR, II, Nocilly JM & Shearer RI. (1976). Observations at a Cavity Nest of the Common Grackle and an Analysis of Grackle Nest Sites. Wilson Bulletin. vol 88, no 3. p. 505-507.

• Maxwell GR, II & Putnam LS. (1972). Incubation Care of Young and Nest Success of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula in Northern Ohio. Auk. vol 89, no 2. p. 349-359.

• Moore WS & Dolbeer RA. (1989). The Use of Banding Recovery Data to Estimate Dispersal Rates and Gene Flow in Avian Species Case Studies in the Red-Winged Blackbird and Common Grackle. Condor. vol 91, no 2. p. 242-253.

• Parkes KC. (1999). Head color in bronzed Common Grackles, Quiscalus quiscula versicolor. Western Birds. vol 30, no 3.

• Peer BD & Bollinger EK. (1997). Explanations for the infrequent Cowbird parasitism on Common Grackles. The Condor. vol 99, no 1. p. 151.

• Pitts D. (1974). Nesting Failure in a Common Grackle Colony. Migrant. vol 45, no 3. p. 71-72.

• Prescott KW. (1971). Severe Foot Pox in Common Grackle and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Ontario Bird Banding. vol 7, no 2. p. 54-55.

• Prescott KW. (1972). Severe Foot Pox in Common Grackle and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Ontario Bird Banding. vol 8, no 2. p. 36-37.

• Prud Homme-Cyr J, McNeil R & Cyr A. (1976). 1st Quebec Canada Record of Quiscalus-Quiscula-Stonei New-Record the Purple Race of the Common Grackle. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol 90, no 2.

• Rod JP. (1971). Abnormal Bill in Common Grackle. Iowa Bird Life. vol 41, no 2. p. 60-61.

• Ryff AJ. (1974). Predatory Behavior of the Common Grackle. Jack Pine Warbler. vol 52, no 4. p. 193-194.

• Snelling JC. (1968). Overlap in Feeding Habits of Redwinged Blackbirds and Common Grackles Nesting in a Cattail-M Marsh Diet Insects Human Interference Quiscalus-Quiscula Agelaius-Phoeniceus. Auk. vol 85, no 4. p. 560-585.

• Spero VM & Pitts TD. (1984). Use of Wood Duck Nest Boxes by Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula. Journal of Field Ornithology. vol 55, no 4. p. 482-483.

• Stanley JG & Rabalais FC. (1971). Helminth Parasites of the Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius-Phoeniceus and Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula in Northwestern Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science. vol 71, no 5. p. 302-303.

• Summers SD. (1977). A Common Grackle Record for Oregon USA. Western Birds. vol 8, no 4.

• Twedt DJ. (1984). Pellet Casting by Common Grackles Quiscalus-Quiscula. Wilson Bulletin. vol 96, no 3. p. 470-471.

• West GC, Funke ERR & Hart JS. (1968). Power Spectral Density and Probability Analysis of Inst Electro Myograms in Shivering Birds Grosbeak Grackle Hesperiphona-Vespertina Quiscalus-Quiscula. Canadian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology. vol 46, no 5. p. 703-706.

• Zink RM, Rootes WL & Dittmann DL. (1991). Mitochondrial DNA Variation Population Structure and Evolution of the Common Grackle Quiscalus-Quiscula. Condor. vol 93, no 2. p. 318-329.