Great-tailed Grackle

46 cm (18") Common. Southwestern United States. Towns, farmlands, mesquite, marshes, wetlands.

Male: black wings and long V-shaped tail. Purple head, back and underparts. Golden-yellow eyes. Best told from similar male Boat-tailed Grackle by location and song. Also Boat-tailed may have brown eyes where their ranges overlap.

Female: brown upperparts and belly. Cinnamon breast. Golden-yellow eyes. Best told from similar female Boat-tailed Grackle by location and song. Also Boat-tailed may have brown eyes where their ranges overlap.

Song: long and loud stick breaking noises, whistles and rattles.

Videos

Images

Credit: docentjoyce

Credit: Aditi-the-Stargazer

Credit: Mike Baird

Credit: Jamie Chavez

Distribution Maps

Great-tailed Grackle distribution map