Texas

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

(L 15-18" WS 19-23" WT 3.7-7 oz)

Females especially can recognize
individual researchers and will
sound an alarm call.

South Padre Island

females

29Oct2010

The grackle’s voice is less than mellow,

His heart is black, his eye is yellow,

He bullies more attractive birds

With hoodlum deeds and vulgar words,

And should a human interfere,

Attacks that human in the rear.

I cannot help but deem the grackle

An ornithological debacle. (Ogden Nash)

11Apr2014