Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

Year-round in CharlotteCommon

The take

The long-tailed iridescent blackbird strutting across the lawn like it owns the place.

How to ID it

  • Appears black from afar, but up close a glossy purple head contrasts with a bronzy-iridescent body
  • Large, lanky blackbird with long legs, a long tail, and a bright golden eye
  • Struts on lawns in large flocks and dominates smaller birds at feeders

Field marks at a glance

Size
medium
Head
glossy purple
Call
creaky rusty-gate squeak

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte

Learn more

Sources