Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Males are much larger and iridescent black, while females are smaller and tawny brown—a striking example of sexual dimorphism.
- Scientific name
- Quiscalus major
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Icteridae › Quiscalus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Salt marshes, coastal estuaries, mangroves, and urban areas near the coast.
- Diet
- Omnivorous: insects, small fish, crustaceans, seeds, grain, and human food scraps.
- Range
- USA Atlantic Coast, USA Gulf Coast
- Size
- Length: 26-37 cm; Wingspan: 39-50 cm
- Lifespan
- 10-12 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Coastal development, habitat fragmentation, and chemical runoff in wetlands.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but bold. These birds are highly opportunistic and may approach humans for food; do not feed them to prevent habituation. Keep distance from nesting colonies to avoid defensive swooping.
The boat-tailed grackle ( Quiscalus major ) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found as a permanent resident on the coasts of the southeastern United States. 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.
Photo: DickDaniels, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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