Greater Antillean Grackle
Quiscalus niger
Also known as: Antillean Grackle, Ching-Ching
About This Species
A conspicuous, adaptable blackbird of towns, gardens, coasts and open country across the Caribbean, easily seen scavenging around outdoor cafes, car parks and beaches in addition to more natural habitats. Males display with a distinctive tail-cocking posture and a harsh, varied repertoire of whistles and squeaks, especially in the breeding season. Present and easily observed year-round, with breeding displays most active in the local spring and early summer.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This is a common, bold species that tolerates close human presence in urban and suburban settings, so a normal comfortable viewing distance of a few metres is generally sufficient without causing distress.
- General wildlife protection law applies across the Caribbean islands it inhabits, though enforcement and specific provisions vary by country, so avoid deliberately baiting, handling or cornering birds regardless of how tame they appear.
- Letting the bird's own behaviour set the distance, backing off if it becomes agitated, is the simplest guide.
LCAvesPasseriformesIcteridae
Seasonal Activity
173,697 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
Photo
(c) Dick Daniels, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.