Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is a large, lanky blackbird with glossy iridescent plumage, bright yellow eyes, and a long, wedge-shaped tail. Males shimmer with bronze, purple, and green sheaths, while females are slightly duller. They are vocal and gregarious, often gathering in massive flocks during migration near water sources.

Dark grey to black with distinct iridescent sheen showing subtle blue-purple highlights under direct light, characteristic of structural coloration in grackle plumage

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning to a slightly more plumulaceous base; intact and clean condition

Slender, dark central rachis with high barb density, angled evenly outward to create a smooth, coherent web

Smooth, slightly glossy appearance with a soft, flexible texture typical of passerine body plumage

Breast or upper belly contour feather, determined by the curved shape, soft yet structured vane, and typical plumage layout of icterids

Dark, iridescent dark grey-to-black coloration, slender curved rachis, and glossy structural sheen typical of blackbird body feathers

Agricultural fields, wet meadows, open woodlands, suburban lawns, and near lakeshores or marshes

Year-round and breeding resident across eastern and central North America, migrating south in winter

Acts as an omnivore controlling insect populations while also consuming seeds and grains; serves as an important food source for larger avian and mammalian predators

Red-winged Blackbird and European Starling; distinguished by the specific iridescent purple-blue tones and larger contour size compared to smaller blackbird species

Common Grackles sometimes engage in 'anting,' rubbing ants onto their feathers to absorb formic acid, which deters parasites. They are also known to use discarded cigarette butts to line their nests, as the nicotine helps repel pests.

Grackles are frequently viewed as agricultural pests due to their large flocking habits, but they hold a familiar presence in North American suburban and rural folklore as intelligent, adaptable survivors.

Look near water edges, agricultural fields, and large roost trees during autumn or spring migration when mixed flocks of blackbirds gather

Good condition, fresh appearance with intact barbs and no visible wear, fraying, or parasitic damage

Wisconsin near water during migration with lots of grackles present