Quiscalus mexicanus
male
The Great-tailed Grackle is the widespread western and inland counterpart of the Boat-tailed Grackle. All birds have a dagger-like bill; males are larger than females and have a long, graduated tail. Adult males are black overall with a bluish-violet sheen on the body. Adult females have brown body plumage, palest on the throat, chest, and supercilium, and a subtly darker tail and wings. Adults of both sexes have a pale iris. Juveniles are similar to an adult female but with streaked underparts and a dark iris.
The Great-tailed Grackle was once primarily a Mexican specialty but in recent decades its range has expanded dramatically. Now it is present year-round in the southwest U.S.A., and its range expands farther north in spring, with breeding birds present there mainly from April to September. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks. Being bold and noisy, it is an easy species to observe.
male
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 15–18 in (38–45.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates, seeds, and berries
HABITAT Open habitats, including farmland, parks, and gardens
STATUS Locally common resident and partial migrant
VOICE Song is a mix of mechanical-sounding notes, including rattles, whistles, and noises resembling crackling electrical static. Call is a soft tchut
