Blackbirds (Icteridae)
Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus. Omnivore — insects, grain, fruit, scraps and eggs.
Blackbirds (Icteridae)Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus
- Scientific name
- Quiscalus mexicanus
- Length
- 15–18.1 in
- Weight
- 3.7–8.1 oz
- Nest
- Bulky cup in trees or reeds, in noisy colonies
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 1–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 13–14 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Male iridescent black with a very long keeled tail
- Female much smaller and brown
- Pale yellow eye
Voice
An extraordinary range of shrieks, rattles and machine-like whistles.
Diet and feeding
Omnivore — insects, grain, fruit, scraps and eggs.
What do great-tailed grackles eat? · Best feeder for great-tailed grackles
Great-tailed Grackles by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| California | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | March–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | March–July |
Frequently asked
What do great-tailed grackles eat?
Omnivore — insects, grain, fruit, scraps and eggs. At feeders: cracked corn, mixed seed.
How big is a Great-tailed Grackle?
15–18.1 in long and 3.7–8.1 oz.
Do great-tailed grackles use birdhouses?
No. Bulky cup in trees or reeds, in noisy colonies.
Sources
- Great-tailed Grackle — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great-tailed Grackle life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great-tailed Grackle — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.