# Common Grackle (*Quiscalus quiscula*) The Common Grackle is a shiny black bird with a long tail. They are known for their beautiful colors and cheerful songs! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 192 - **Habitat:** Fields, parks, and near water - **Also known as:** Purple Grackle ![Common Grackle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425728/objects/4536.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Grackle is a medium-sized songbird with glossy black plumage that shines iridescent purple, blue, or green in sunlight. It has strikingly bright yellow eyes and a long, keel-shaped tail, which helps distinguish it from other blackbirds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Quiscalus ## Interesting facts - Common Grackles can crack open hard corn kernels, even without strong beaks like a parrot! - Grackles sometimes steal food from other birds, like robins and sparrows. - Their name "grackle" comes from the Latin word "graculus," meaning jackdaw. - They are one of the most widespread and abundant birds in North America. ## Special abilities - **Anting Ritual:** Common Grackle can rub ants on its feathers because of chemicals in ants that help them get rid of parasites. - **Bait Fishing:** Common Grackle has been observed using bread as bait that helps them catch small fish or insects from water. - **Tail Rudder:** Common Grackle has a unique keeled tail that helps them steer and balance expertly while flying. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 28-34 cm - **Wingspan:** 36-46 cm - **Weight:** 0.075-0.142 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding Common Grackles are adaptable omnivores, eating everything from insects and seeds to fruits and even small animals! - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Corn, Berries, Seeds, Small fish, Bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Consumes grains from agricultural fields. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common predator hunting adult grackles. - **Shelter:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Often builds nests in deciduous trees. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Eats ants and uses them for 'anting'. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Common Grackles are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Grackle? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Grackle? 28-34 cm ### What is Common Grackle's wingspan? 36-46 cm ### How much does Common Grackle weigh? 0.075-0.142 kg ### How long does Common Grackle live? 5-15 years ### How fast can Common Grackle move? 60 km/h ### What does Common Grackle eat? Common Grackles are adaptable omnivores, eating everything from insects and seeds to fruits and even small animals! ### Where is Common Grackle usually found? Fields, parks, and near water ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Algonquin Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algonquin-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Blackstone Boulevard–Cole Avenue–Grotto Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackstone-boulevard-cole-avenue-grotto-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Common Grackle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-grackle) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Common Grackle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-grackle)