Male
Female
Description
Size: Males 18”, females 15”
Plumage/Description: Males have a very long, keel-shaped tail. Entire body has an iridescent quality, and depending upon lighting conditions Great-tailed Grackles will appear either black, glossy blue, or almost greenish. Females are smaller than males and are an over-all bronze color, darker on top, lighter on the breast and belly.
Habitat: Suburban, Residential
Time of year: Year-round
Relative Abundance: Common in summer, uncommon in winter
Behavior: Usually occurs in small flocks, frequently in shopping centers where they act as scavengers. In residential settings
they prefer yards with ornamental plum and pear trees where they like to nest. Males put on an elaborate display to attract a female. A true omnivore, eating just about anything.
Diet: Seed, Insects, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles
Similar species:
Best Sites: Safeway shopping center on Willow Creek Road, Fry’s shopping center on Willow Creek Road, neighborhood bordering the south side of Willow Lake Road (opposite Willow Lake).
