Boat-tailed grackle
Quiscalus major
Identification Tips:
- Length: 16 inches
- Very long tail
- Eyes pale in birds from Atlantic coast, browner in Florida and Gulf Coast
populations
- Long bill
- Frequently gathers in flocks
- Most often found in salt marshes (more widespread in Florida)
Male:
- Entirely black plumage with purple iridescence
Female:
- Buffy supercilium and breast
- Remainder of plumage dark brown
Similar species:
The male Boat-tailed Grackle is similar to the Common Grackle but is
larger with a much longer tail. Great-tailed and Boat-tailed Grackles are
very similar but fortunately have mostly different ranges. Great-tailed
Grackles have paler eyes and different calls.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.