Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

This iridescent blackbird turns heads with its striking blue-purple sheen and piercing yellow eyes, a common yet eye-catching sight across North American neighborhoods and fields.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Common Grackle is a striking bird with glossy black plumage that shimmers with iridescent purple, blue, and green hues in bright light. Males are larger and more colorful, with a long, keel-shaped tail and bright yellow eyes contrasting sharply with their dark feathers.

Females are slightly smaller and less iridescent, with a brown body and shorter tail. Juveniles resemble females but have dark eyes that gradually lighten to yellow as they mature.

Size

Length

28cm to 34cm

Wingspan

36cm to 43cm

Weight

74g to 142g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black Iridescent

Secondary Colour

Purple Blue Green

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Grackle can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Grackle can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Grackle can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Grackle is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Grackles are widely distributed across North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. They thrive in diverse habitats, including open woodlands, marshes, suburban areas, and agricultural lands. These adaptable birds are particularly common in human-modified landscapes.

They are found throughout the eastern and central United States and southern Canada during the breeding season. In winter, northern populations migrate south, with large concentrations in the southeastern United States, making them a year-round presence in many areas.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Grackle. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons