Bird Species
Common Grackles
Grackles are remarkable creatures, capable of problem-solving when faced with novel challenges, and even using tools to access food and prizes.
Understand the Problem
Issues Caused By
Common Grackles
Common grackles are most commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains and can cause issues in both rural and urban environments. Their presence can create:
- Damage to agricultural crops
- Large mess of droppings under roosting trees
- Bullying behavior at feeders and around picnickers
Solutions
How to Manage Issues with Common Grackles
To manage common grackles, some of the most effective solutions include:
- Excluding grackles from roosting areas using netting or other physical deterrents
- Harassment of birds damaging crops with lasers
Diverse Range of Species
Learn More About the Species
Appearance
Common Grackles are a dark bird with yellow eyes. While females are solid black, males have highly iridescent bronze bodies, with iridescent blue heads.
Behavior
Grackles are common urban birds that are easy to find foraging on the ground, though they roost in trees during the evening. They are bullies and will chase other birds away from feeders and around other food sources. They may also steal food from picnickers. Grackles are flocking blackbirds and are usually seen in the company of other grackles and blackbird species.
Diet
While grackles are primarily seed eaters, they will eat small animals they can catch in the summer, including insects, baby birds, frogs, fish, and mice.
Habitat
Grackles prefer edge habitat and open grasslands with some trees for roosting and are very adapted to human environments.
Nesting
While grackles prefer to nest in conifers, they may nest in other trees if conifers are not available. Females build a fairly large mud and stick cup to lay their eggs in. Grackles may nest in flocks with little territorial behavior between pairs.
Migration
Grackles are resident birds in the Midwest, only migrating short distances to find food and water. They typically do not go far from their nesting areas year-round.
Protected Status
Yes, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US.
Sources: The Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology bird guide, Humane Society of the United States, Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, Nest Watch