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Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Photo by Jellis
Published on Project Noah
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38.0287, -122.514

Field Notes

Description:

Medium and slim black bird but not related to the Blackbird family. Also known as a Mexican Grackle. Males are a glossy black with a purple sheen and yellow eyes. Males have a rudder like tail which is larger for ones who are breeding. Females are brown and will have the same yellow eyes and smaller rudder like tail. When the males call they lift their head and bills up toward the sky.

Habitat:

These seem to love the marsh area and seen in the second photo can eat some of the crawdads in the ponds.

Notes:

Where they use to be mainly in the southwestern states, Texas and Mexico have expanded and out grown their ranges. Also in some areas are a complete nuisance, and here so far they are just one of the small group of birds.
I so far haven't found any info on if the large rudder like tail does sure a purpose. When I seen them fly that have looked awkward.

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PublishedJune 8, 2016

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