They are found from the Rocky Mountains east and from northern Canada down through the U.S. They spend the winter in the U.S.
They are found in open fields, woodlands, marshes, near homes, parks and farmlands.
They are large, dark birds with shiny (iridescent) heads. They have a long tail that widens at the end and a long thin beak.
They flock to feed on the ground, often with other kinds of birds.
They eat insects, frogs, bird's eggs, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains.
They build a big nest of wood, leaves and grass in a small conifer tree. They line their nests with mud and grass. Females lay 1-7 pale blue-gray eggs with some spots.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vetebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
Species: Q. quiscula
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Amsel, Sheri. "Grackle (Common)" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2024. November 26, 2024
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