Common or Purple Grackle
66Observe the powerful beak used on mice, birds eggs, frogs and other birds.
Common Grackle
This poor guy has lost his head feathers due to mites or perhaps he's henpecked.
Common Grackle
Common grackle
Three doves and a sparrow wait for Grackle to finish his dinner.
Mr. Grackle says, "Buzz off, I'm not done yet!"
Grackle eating a sunflower seed.
Common grackle with sunflower seed
Common Grackle
Thanks. Grackles are beautiful but nasty birds. They chase the doves and even blue jays away from the feeder. All but the grackles and blue jays feed pretty peacefully together.
I found a nest of five baby common purple grackles. I just need to tell the difference from the male dad and the female mom..... How do I do that? And are Purple Grackles vicious animals?
Whether or not Grackles are "vicious animals" is a matter of opinion. They aren't very popular with the other birds around our bird feeder whom they chase away. The squirrels don't like them either. I'm not sure how to tell a male from a female grackle. Thanks for your comment.
Females are a brownish color. Males are an iridescent purple or blue that resembles black.
Common Grackles only seem to peacefully coexist with Mockingbirds, House Sparrows, and Black Vultures. And Grackles will only tolerate those types of birds in much smaller numbers than the Plague (family of Grackles). If the Mockingbirds get too numerous they will chase them away. If the Sparrows get too numerous they will hunt them and eat them. If the Black Vultures get too numerous they will mob individual Vultures en masse.
Grackles will also chase away Crows. Though Crows are larger, they are less maneuverable and will usually flee from Grackles at the first sign of hostility. Vultures usually take a little longer to get the hint and may be injured by Grackles in the process.
Thanks for your comments. I wasn't aware that Crows are chased by Grackles. I'm more of a photographer than a birder.
grackles are the smartest of the "birdfeeder" group they will 0ften get into small fights with the bluejays but the grackles win the only birds that seem to make the grackles flee are catbirds . i once seen a grackle kill a sparrow under my feeder
Grackles are mean looking birds. Thanks for your comment.
I just erradicate the nasty winged villans on sight. Freedom isn't free and we may have to go to war to protect it. Birdseed isn't free, either, and I'll save my little birds something to eat at any cost.
They are nasty characters. Thanks for your comment.
They are nasty characters. Thanks for your comment.
Grackles are indeed interesting and intelligent birds, eating many more harmful insects than crop grains. If you find an injured or endangered baby or adult bird, keep it safe, warm, and if possible, fed until you can take it as quickly as possible to a licensed Wild Bird Rescue location in your area. They will rehabilitate the bird and release it into a safe area in the wild. Please note: It is illegal to keep a wild bird as a pet in the United states.
Thanks, Marilyn. Great suggestion.
Wonderful pictures Sir!!!!!!!!!!
It's strange - I'm a bit out of my small hometown, and we never see the Grackles out here. In town at my Grandmother's house - . . .they love that place!
In Downtown Dallas, Texas - there are either Grackles or Pigeons everywhere. It's like street gangs, or something - the Grackle's have their turf and the Pigeon's have theirs!
armchair birder 5 years ago
I love your photos of the Common Grackle! Good work!