Common Grackle

The Common Grackle’s latin name is Quiscalus quiscula. Common Grackles are found in most of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. Common Grackles preferred habitats are wet, open woodland and marshes as well as parks, suburbs, and agricultural fields. It breeds across all of North America during the winter. With no assistance from the male, the Common Grackle female builds a large, bulky nest of woody stems, leaves and grasses. After laying 4-6 eggs, and then incubating the eggs for 13-14 days, both parents tend to the baby Common Grackle until the juvenile Common Grackle fledge 18-20 days later.

The Common Grackle is considered a partial migrant throughout the southeastern part of North America, moving short distances between breeding and wintering sites. It is near threatened, and the population of the Common Grackle bird has dropped tremendously in the past few years. The Common Grackle can be found at Coal Creek Farm all year round. There are various Common Grackle sounds, but the most common is a harsh, creaky, half-whistled rasp. Some liken this Common Grackle call to “a rusty gate.” Common Grackles mostly eat different kinds of seeds, fruit, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, crustaceans, fish, mice, mollusks, frogs, salamanders, and other birds. Common Grackles eat other birds’ eggs and chicks, as well as occasionally kill and eat other adult birds.