Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Also known as: Crow Blackbird, Maize Thief, Purple Grackle
About This Species
Look for this glossy, iridescent blackbird in open fields, lawns, and agricultural areas, often walking rather than hopping as it forages for seeds, grain, and insects. It typically gathers in large, noisy flocks, especially outside the breeding season, and communal roosts can number in the thousands during migration and winter. Its harsh, creaking call is distinctive and often the first sign of an approaching flock.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A modest distance is generally sufficient to watch feeding or roosting flocks without causing them to scatter, though very large roosts are easily disturbed and best watched from a distance.
- Populations have declined significantly in recent decades, reflected in its Near Threatened status, so minimising disturbance at roosts and during breeding is worth extra care even though it remains numerous.
- Wild birds remain protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US and Canada, and nests should not be approached or handled.
NTAvesPasseriformesIcteridae
Seasonal Activity
11,775,960 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
Photo
(c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.