Species Name: Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Length: 18 inches (46 cm).

Description: A large blackish bird with a long keel-shaped tail and sharply pointed bill. Adult males are glossy black, showing purple to greenish iridescence, especially around the head. Legs, feet, and bill are black. Eye is golden yellow. Females are brown above, with paler brownish tan on the face, chest, and belling. Females are smaller than males; tails of females are notably shorter than on males. Juveniles resemble adult females but are paler overall. Legs are long. These birds generally sit with an upright posture. Calls are varied, including sharp whistles and heavy clacks.

Range: Primarily a Mexican species, it reaches its northern limit in the southwestern United States (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma). In recent years it has been extending its range north and west and has become common in parts of southern California. There is some withdrawal from the northern parts of this range in winter, but it can be found in large numbers in winter in the primary states within its range.

Behavior: An aggressive bird and an opportunistic feeder, this grackle has been able to expand its range by exploiting the natural and the human altered environment. These grackles often raid the nests of smaller birds for unhatched eggs or recently fledged young, and they pay close attention to other birds during the nesting period. They also form large flocks around cattle operations to exploit food and offal. Males display by tilting back the head and pointing upward.

Odd Facts: Often steal dry food from outdoor dog dishes and take it to the nearest source of water where they dunk it to soften it up for easier consumption.

Related or Similar Species: The closest relative in the U.S. is the Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major). Q. major occurs along the Atlantic coast from Long Island to the southern tip of Florida, and along the Gulf coast from Florida to southern Texas. It is strongly associated with water and seldom found far from the coast. It is slightly smaller that Q. mexicanus at 16.5 inches, with a somewhat shorter tail. Eye color for Q. major varies from yellow in the northern part of its range, to brown in Florida. Birds along the Gulf coast have eyes intermediate from yellow to brown. Immature males are dull black.

Identification: Unmistakable within range, except where there is overlap with Q. major in coastal Texas. Within overlap area pay close attention to eye color, size, and color of any juvenile birds present.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: Common around cattle pens and non moving water throughout range. Becoming common throughout suburban areas and urban parks. The long proportions of the males with their long tails can complicate compositions, and it is easy to clip the tip of the tail when concentrating on the eye. The glossy plumage can be difficult to record properly in bright light; try to shoot in softer light or with fill flash to reduce the overall contrast of the scene.

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