Illinois
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
(L 12.5" WS 17" WT 4 OZ )
A major threat to cornfields...may
look black but up close have
purple heads with bronzy bodies.
look black but up close have
purple heads with bronzy bodies.
Columbus Park
Chicago
06May2012
Quiscalus in Latin means what kind
(perhaps was a local name for a
bird or perhaps means quail).
(perhaps was a local name for a
bird or perhaps means quail).
© BirdNote,
Bob Sundstrom
© Cornell
Ornithology
Ornithology
IUCN Watch List
Status is Near
Status is Near
Threatened
Populations have
declined by 61%.
declined by 61%.
© Audubon
Society
Society
Oak Park
yard bird
06Aug2006
juvenile - has
a darker eye
a darker eye
Common Grackles are large,
strong, opportunistic and prey on
the eggs and young of smaller
birds.
strong, opportunistic and prey on
the eggs and young of smaller
birds.
(David Allen Sibley)
Note the iridescence of
the grackle’s feathers.
the grackle’s feathers.