New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies
Quiscalus mexicanus
The Great-tailed Grackle is a conspicuous and adaptable blackbird, known for its striking appearance and vocalizations. Males are notably larger than females, displaying iridescent black plumage and a long, distinctive tail. This species thrives in diverse open and semi-open habitats, often in close proximity to human activity.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
Glossy iridescent black with purple, blue, or green sheen, a very long keel-shaped tail, and bright yellow eyes.
Smaller than males, with dark brown upperparts, paler buff to grayish-brown underparts, and yellow eyes.
The male's long tail is often held in a distinctive V or keel shape, especially in flight.
Resembles the adult female but has streaked underparts and dark eyes.
02 / A place in the world
Great-tailed Grackles inhabit a variety of open and semi-open lowland environments, including farmlands, marshes, irrigated fields, suburban lawns, city parks, and brushy areas. They are often found near water and have adapted well to urban and agricultural landscapes.
Native to the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and Central America, their range has expanded significantly northward into the Great Plains and western U.S., with sightings as far north as Canada. They are also found in parts of South America.
This species is largely resident throughout much of its North American range. However, populations at the northern edge of their distribution may undertake southward movements during winter, often following river valleys.
03 / Listen a little closer
They produce a wide array of sounds, including clear whistles, loud clacks, wheezy calls, clattering, and creaking notes, as well as sweeter sounds.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Their omnivorous diet includes a wide range of items such as insects, spiders, millipedes, snails, crayfish, small fish, lizards, eggs and nestlings of other birds, and sometimes adult birds. They also consume seeds, grains, fruits, and nuts.
Great-tailed Grackles forage opportunistically, primarily on the ground or wading in shallow water. They also search for food in trees and bushes, and are known to exploit human food sources in urban settings. They often feed in flocks.
These birds nest colonially, often in dense vegetation near water, though they also utilize trees in urban areas. The bulky, open, cup-shaped nest is constructed from twigs, weeds, grass, and other available materials. Females alone incubate the 3-5 bluish, scrawled eggs.
Great-tailed Grackles are social birds, often forming large, noisy roosts in trees, especially during winter, which can contain thousands of individuals. Males engage in elaborate courtship displays involving ruffling feathers and specific vocalizations.
One more reason to pay attention
The Great-tailed Grackle has significantly expanded its range northward since the 1960s, following irrigated agriculture and urban development.
Female Great-tailed Grackle chicks have a higher survival rate to fledging than males, and adult females may outlive males.
Males are polygamous, defending a territory that includes the nests of several females, and do not provide parental care to the young.
05 / An eye for the difference
Great-tailed Grackles generally have a wider and longer tail; their ranges overlap primarily along coastal marshes.
Great-tailed Grackles are typically larger and more evenly colored than Common Grackles.
Great-tailed Grackles are smaller than crows and ravens, with a more slender build and distinctive yellow eyes.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.