Size & Shape
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.

Color Pattern
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.

Behavior
You’ll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.

Habitat
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.

Tags:   Birds Birds of Sandy Hook Common Grackle Gateway National Recreation Area Grackle Icteridae Icterids Mother Nature Nikon D7000 Quiscalus quiscula Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Bay Spermaceti Cove Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Wildlife Middletown New Jersey Monmouth County Jersey Shore United States US Handheld

© All Rights Reserved

Size & Shape
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.

Color Pattern
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.

Behavior
You’ll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.

Habitat
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.

Tags:   Birds Birds of Sandy Hook Common Grackle Gateway National Recreation Area Grackle Icteridae Icterids Mother Nature Nikon D7000 Quiscalus quiscula Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Bay Spermaceti Cove Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Wildlife Middletown New Jersey Monmouth County Jersey Shore United States US Handheld

© All Rights Reserved

Size & Shape
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.

Color Pattern
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.

Behavior
You’ll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.

Habitat
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.

Tags:   Birds Birds of Sandy Hook Common Grackle Gateway National Recreation Area Grackle Icteridae Icterids Mother Nature Nikon D7000 Quiscalus quiscula Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Bay Spermaceti Cove Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Wildlife Middletown New Jersey Monmouth County Jersey Shore United States US Birds in Flight BIF Handheld

© All Rights Reserved

Size & Shape
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.

Color Pattern
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.

Behavior
Youâll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.

Habitat
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. Theyâre also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.

Tags:   Birds Birds of Sandy Hook Common Grackle Gateway National Recreation Area Grackle Icteridae Icterids Mother Nature Nikon D7000 Quiscalus quiscula Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Bay Spermaceti Cove Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Wildlife Highlands New Jersey United States US Handheld

© All Rights Reserved

Size & Shape
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.

Color Pattern
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.

Behavior
You’ll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.

Habitat
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.

Tags:   Birds Birds of Sandy Hook Common Grackle Gateway National Recreation Area Grackle Icteridae Icterids Mother Nature Nikon D7000 Quiscalus quiscula Red-Winged Blackbird Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Bay Spermaceti Cove Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Wildlife Highlands New Jersey United States US Handheld

© All Rights Reserved