Boat-tailed grackle Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed grackle Quiscalus major

Identification Tips:
• Length: 16 inches
• Very long tail
• Eyes pale in birds from Atlantic coast, browner in Florida and Gulf Coast populations
• Long bill
• Frequently gathers in flocks
• Most often found in salt marshes (more widespread in Florida)
Male:

• Entirely black plumage with purple iridescence
Female:
• Buffy supercilium and breast
• Remainder of plumage dark brown
Similar species:
The male Boat-tailed Grackle is similar to the Common Grackle but is larger with a much longer tail. Great-tailed and Boat-tailed Grackles are very similar but fortunately have mostly different ranges. Great-tailed Grackles have paler eyes and different calls.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.