Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
All Grackle species are native to the Americas, and all are showy and bold; at least those members I have met are. Like its Great-Tailed and Boat-Tailed cousins, Common Grackles sport a long keel-shaped tail. Some members of this clan have dark brown eyes, but most, like this bird, have bright yellow irises. As with many birds, males are the cocks-of-the-walk. Iridescent blue-black feathers, especially when courting members of the opposite sex, almost glow when reflecting the rays of the sun. Unlike the other North American grackle species, The Common Grackle only has the blue-black feathers on its head and neck. The rest of its body is a dark chocolate-brown. This distinguishes them from their boy cousins.
Until I undertook my 2022 expedition into Canada and the mid-western USA, I’d never met the Common Grackle. After leaving Cody Wyoming and drifting towards Canada, I passed through the village of Lowell, only 46 miles to the northwest. While exploring Lowell Lakes, just 3 miles south of town, I met Red-Winged and Yellow-Headed Blackbirds in the company of these grackles. It made for a lovely morning. As I continued my expedition, these birds appeared more regularly to me. I found them as far north as northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Europeans settled the lands. They cleared the forests during their westward expansion, and these birds followed, and rapidly expanded their range. Today, they are considered by many to be an agricultural pest. Yet I find no sin in these birds, they are only doing what comes naturally.
26 Photos
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles southeast of the town of Lovell Wyoming, where I met three ‘blackbird’ species, including my first ever, Common Grackle. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 9:08 |
|
Location:
Lovell Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8501890-LovellLakes.WY_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles southeast of the town of Lovell Wyoming, where I met three ‘blackbird’ species, including my first ever, Common Grackle. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 9:09 |
|
Location:
Lovell Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8501907-LovellLakes.WY_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles southeast of the town of Lovell Wyoming, where I met three ‘blackbird’ species, including my first ever, Common Grackle. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 9:25 |
|
Location:
Lovell Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502075-LovellLakes.WY_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles north of Bridger Montana, I found a rest area where I found my second location of the day to meet Common Grackles. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 11:58 |
|
Location:
Rest Area |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502137-Bridger.MT-RestArea |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles north of Bridger Montana, I found a rest area where I found my second location of the day to meet Common Grackles. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 12:13 |
|
Location:
Rest Area |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502175-Bridger.MT-RestArea |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles north of Bridger Montana, I found a rest area where I found my second location of the day to meet Common Grackles. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 12:13 |
|
Location:
Rest Area |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502194-Bridger.MT-RestArea |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 12:13 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8507061-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: I enjoyed the company of Common Grackles during my visits to McQueen Slough, which is only a few miles from Dawson Creek in British Columbia. It became a favorite birding location during my stay. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:29 12:42 |
|
Location:
McQueen Slough |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8506167-McQueenSlough.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Not all the ‘blackbirds’ I met at Crystal Lake were Red-Winged. Common Grackles share the marshy edges too. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:31 15:34 |
|
Location:
Crystal Lake |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8505383-CrystalLake.GrandePrairie |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Not all the ‘blackbirds’ I met at Crystal Lake were Red-Winged. Common Grackles share the marshy edges too. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:31 13:28 |
|
Location:
Crystal Lake |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8504807-CrystalLake.GrandePrairie |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles north of Bridger Montana, I found a rest area where I found my second location of the day to meet Common Grackles. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 12:19 |
|
Location:
Rest Area |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502212-Bridger.MT-RestArea |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 12:14 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8507080-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 12:14 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8507099-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 12:15 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8507149-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:30 9:24 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8506770-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:30 9:35 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8506810-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: I drove several hours through southern Saskatchewan’s agricultural fields, over remote gravel roads looking for bird-life. Common Grackles were one species I met. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:10 11:32 |
|
Location:
Sceptre |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8500107-RuralSaskatchewan |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Looking much like Brewer’s Blackbirds, but larger, and with larger beaks, Common Grackles shared the ranges with them. I spent five nights at Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan to complete my two-month tour of Canada in the spring of 2022. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:11 15:52 |
|
Location:
Grasslands National Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8500598-Grasslands.NP-SK |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: Common Grackles gave me distant views during my first day exploring Piper Pond, north of Dawson Creek. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, so I returned a few days later for a second try. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 12:13 |
|
Location:
Piper Pond |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8507044-PiperPond.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: A few miles north of Bridger Montana, I found a rest area where I found my second location of the day to meet Common Grackles. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:18 12:19 |
|
Location:
Rest Area |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_8502239-Bridger.MT-RestArea |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: I spent the day south of Lawrence Kansas exploring the Baker Wetlands. Bird migration seemed in full swing, and I enjoyed every minute. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:27 10:24 |
|
Location:
Baker Wetlands |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_ZX97637_BakerWetlands-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: I spent the day south of Lawrence Kansas exploring the Baker Wetlands. Bird migration seemed in full swing, and I enjoyed every minute. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:27 10:43 |
|
Location:
Baker Wetlands |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_ZX97701_BakerWetlands-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: During my stay near Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, most locals I met spoke fondly of a location called Tiny Marsh. On March 24th, I spent most of the day there and learned for myself why it is loved by so many folks. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:24 12:31 |
|
Location:
Tiny Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_Z9X0979_TinyMarsh-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: During my stay near Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, most locals I met spoke fondly of a location called Tiny Marsh. On March 24th, I spent most of the day there and learned for myself why it is loved by so many folks. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:24 12:36 |
|
Location:
Tiny Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_Z9X1059_TinyMarsh-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: During my stay near Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, most locals I met spoke fondly of a location called Tiny Marsh. On March 24th, I spent most of the day there and learned for myself why it is loved by so many folks. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:24 12:37 |
|
Location:
Tiny Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_Z9X1113_TinyMarsh-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula) |
|
Description: During my stay near Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, most locals I met spoke fondly of a location called Tiny Marsh. On March 24th, I spent most of the day there and learned for myself why it is loved by so many folks. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:24 8:22 |
|
Location:
Tiny Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: CommonGrackle_Z9X9907_TinyMarsh-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Click map markers to reveal further information
