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great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Photo by SusanEllison
Published on Project Noah
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29.7602, -95.3694

Field Notes

Description:

A large, noisy blackbird, the Great-tailed Grackle has been expanding its range in North America throughout the last century. A bird of open country with scattered trees and water, it took advantage of urbanization and irrigation to move northward from Mexico into much of western United States

Habitat:

Open areas with scattered trees and nearby water, including pastures, agricultural areas, mangroves, and urban and suburban areas.

Notes:

Display of males conspicuous. Male fans tail, fluffs up the body feathers, extends the wings, and makes loud series of calls (song). Head-up aggressive display used to other grackles by both sexes, but especially by territorial males. Forages in flocks with other blackbirds. Sexes may forage in separate flocks. Follows tractors to get exposed food. Males hold territories that contain nests of several females. Males will protect young from predators, but otherwise provide no parental care.

Species ID Suggestions

Great-tailed grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

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