Too often one runs into Grackles in the parking lot of a shopping center hopping around on the hot pavement looking for something edible to fall its way. It does not seem like a very practical way of life but, alas, it is the way things are.

In appearance the Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) is quite stunning when the Sun catches its feathers just right causing a brilliant blue and purple iridescence to shine forth. Note this Grackle’s inner eyelid, or nictitating membrane, is closed, most likely in response to the bright sunlight.

To confuse beginning birders, the female Grackle does not look like its mate, but is a dusky brown color suitable for camouflaging itself in the nest.

View a close-up image of a female Grackle.