# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/a511bce6-9486-451c-b8d6-8ca22d4ea25b
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9601
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiscalus major
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/170509864/medium.jpg (DickDaniels, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.