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ViewsGreat-tailed GrackleFrom Opus
[edit] IdentificationA large (40cm) totally black bird (M) with a long, sharp bill and an impressively long tail that is held vertically in flight, like a boat rudder. The yellow eye is diagnostic. The plumage of the male shows many colors in sunlight due to iridescence; blues and greens predominate. The female is brown with lighter underparts, and with a shorter tail. [edit] Similar SpeciesOn Gulf Coast, can be distinguished from Boat-tailed Grackle by eye color. [edit] DistributionIn the United States found from southern California east to Iowa south to Louisiana. Also found throughout Mexico and Central America south to Peru. [edit] Taxonomy[edit] SubspeciesThis is a polytypic species consisting of eight subspecies[1]:
[edit] HabitatThey can be found in a wide variety of habitats; marshes, wetlands, hill bushy areas, golf courses, gardens, and shopping malls. [edit] BehaviourIn hot areas they will drink from any water available including swimming pools, and they may even take a voluntary swim! They are social, particularly at dusk when they gather in sizeable flocks to roost in trees. [edit] DietGreat-tailed grackles frequent urban landscapes, often feeding in highly-developed areas such as parking lots. They will eat almost anything. [edit] VocalisationThey can be noisy, especially during breeding displays, when the male issues loud calls at what looks to be great physical effort. [edit] References
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Categories: Birds | Quiscalus | Videos
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