Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Summary 4
The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a large icterid which is found in large numbers through much of North America.
Details 5
Description: purple and green gloss or a bonzed body with a blue head. Yellow eyes, strong bill, and long tail with a crease down the middle. 11in long
Found in park: Seen below 3000ft. Common in Cades Cove and around Sugarlands Visitor Center
Habitat: farmland, open country, stream sides. Nests in dense coniferous trees close to open areas.
Status: Common in the summer. Rare in winter.
Distribution and habitat 6
The breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas across North America east of the Rocky Mountains. The nest is a well-concealed cup in dense trees (particularly pine) or shrubs, usually near water; sometimes, the common grackle will nest in cavities or in man-made structures. It often nests in colonies, some being quite large. Bird houses are also a suitable nesting site. There are four to seven eggs.
This bird is a permanent resident in much of its range. Northern birds migrate in flocks to the southeastern United States.
Vocalization 7
Clucks; high-pitched rising screech, like a rusty hinge.
(c) 2015 National Audubon Society, Inc., 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10014, USA. All rights reserved.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Maris Pukitis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/63854769@N05/6008326996
- (c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
- (c) Mike Mills, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/36093342@N07/7018433095/
- Adapted by Will Kuhn from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiscalus_quiscula
- (c) elmaddi, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/631424
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_grackle
- (c) Craftsbury Outdoor Center, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/340519
