The Common Grackle, or Quiscalus quiscula, is usually looked down on by birders. Boring black, no song, it doesn´t seem to have much to offer.



The photo above is of a grackle mommy (to the right) who is feeding the baby (to the left)

Still, the colors of this bird can be shimmery when hit by the sunlight, and it´s good at warning other birds when there are predators in the area. It´ll help drive away hawks if they are present.

You can tell grackles from other birds by their bronzish body and the bright yellow ring around the eye. If comparing with a blackbird, which has the yellow ring, note that a grackle´s beak is longer.

Grackles will eat just about anything you put out.











Birding Encyclopedia


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Photos by Lisa Shea