Boat-tailed Grackle
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The Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) is a large blackbird. It is a permanent resident breeding bird on the coasts of the southeastern USA.
It is found in coastal saltwater marshes, and, in Florida, also on inland waters. The nest is a well-concealed cup in trees or shrubs near water; three to five eggs are laid.
The male Boat-tailed Grackle is 42 cm long. Adult males have entirely iridescent black plumage, a long dark bill, a pale yellowish or brown iris and a long keel-shaped tail. The 37-cm long adult female is shorter tailed, and tawny-brown in colour apart from the darker wings and tail.
Young males are black but lack the adult's iridescence. Immature females are duller versions of the adult female, and have blotches or spots on the breast.
Despite its restricted range, there are four subspecies of the Boat-tailed Grackle, differing in size and iris colour. The Boat-tailed Grackle was once considered the same species as the Great-tailed Grackle.
These birds forage on the ground, in shallow water, or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, and grain, even small birds.
This bird's song is a harsh jeeb , and it has a variety of typically grackle-like chatters and sqeaks.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). [Quiscalus major]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- [Quiscalus major (TSN 179108)]. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 6 February 2006.
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