The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a very common blackbird found throughout most of North America. As an omnivorous bird, grackles have a diverse diet and will eat a variety of foods. When living close to humans, they can become accustomed to being fed by people which can lead them to become nuisance birds. However, you can feed grackles appropriate foods that will nourish them without encouraging nuisance behavior. Here we will discuss what foods are appropriate and nutritious for grackles.
Natural Diet
In their natural habitat, common grackles eat a diverse omnivorous diet consisting of both plant and animal material. Their natural diet typically consists of:
Insects
Grackles spend much of their time foraging on the ground for insects and other invertebrates. Crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, ants, and grubs are common insect foods. Insect protein provides essential amino acids for growth and development.
Seeds and Grains
Grackles will eat a variety of seeds from grasses, weeds, and crops. Common foods include corn, rice, wheat, oats, and unprocessed seeds from sunflowers and thistles. Seeds provide carbohydrates, oils, and some protein.
Fruits and Berries
When available, grackles will eat many types of fruits including wild cherries, elderberries, mulberries, raspberries, blackberries, and more. Fruits provide important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and carbohydrates.
Nuts
Grackles will eat acorns, pine nuts, walnuts, peanuts, almonds and other tree nuts when available. Nuts are high in protein, oils, and calories.
Frogs, Salamanders, Fish
Although not a mainstay of their diet, grackles will opportunistically eat small vertebrates such as frogs, salamanders, and small fish when the chance arises. These provide protein.
Bird Eggs and Nestlings
Grackles may raid bird nests for eggs and nestlings when the opportunity avails itself. Eggs provide high-quality protein and fat.
Carrion
Grackles will scavenge on dead animals if no fresher food sources are available. Carrion provides food but grackles must be careful to avoid spoiled meat.
Foods to Feed Grackles
When feeding common grackles, it is best to try to approximate their natural diet as much as possible. Foods that are nutritious and appropriate to feed grackles include:
Live Mealworms
Mealworms are an excellent source of insect protein to approximate the bugs grackles naturally eat. Live mealworms have more nutritional value than dried. Offer them in small amounts as part of a varied diet.
Chopped Unsalted Nuts
Chopped peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or other unsalted nuts make a good nutritional addition to a grackle’s diet. Avoid salted, seasoned, or sugared nuts.
Seeds and Grains
Black oil sunflower seeds are a common bird food that grackles like. Add in some mixed bird seed, cracked corn, wheat, oats, millet, or rice. Look for unsalted, unflavored varieties.
Chopped or Diced Fruit
Chopped apples, berries, grapes, cherries, and other fruits are relished by grackles. Be sure to remove any seeds or pits first. Only offer small amount of fruit as too much sugar is unhealthy.
Hard-boiled Eggs
Eggs boiled and chopped up shell-free provide excellent protein similar to what grackles get from raiding nests. Avoid raw eggs due to salmonella risk.
Bird Pellets
High quality bird pellets made for songbirds provide balanced nutrition in an easy form for grackles to eat. Look for formulas with fruits, veggies, seeds, and insects.
Suet
Protein-rich suet and bark butter provide grackles with fat and calories to help sustain them. Offer insect-based suet.
Chopped Greens
Finely chopped greens like kale, spinach, lettuce, or swiss chard provide vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Mix small amounts in with other foods.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Grackles
Some foods are inappropriate to feed grackles and should be avoided. These include:
Bread, Crackers, Chips
Although grackles will readily eat bread, crackers, and chips, these human junk foods have little nutritional value and can cause health issues. They should be avoided.
Raw Meat
Raw or spoiled meat and sausage may contain pathogens that can sicken grackles. Cooked meats may be fed in small quantities if necessary.
Sugary Foods
Avoid feeding grackles sugary foods like candy, soda, cookies, cakes etc. Too much sugar is unhealthy for birds.
Processed Foods
Avoid heavily processed foods like chips, fast food, granola bars, cereals, etc that contain excess salt, sugar, preservatives etc. Stick to natural foods.
Avocado
Avocado should not be fed to birds as it contains persin which is toxic to them. Avoid guacamole too.
Alcohol/Caffeine
Avoid giving grackles alcohol like beer as well as caffeine like coffee and tea which are unhealthy. Stick to water.
Spoiled Foods
Never feed grackles spoiled foods or foods past expiration dates. This can risk serious illness.
Tips for Feeding Grackles
Here are some tips for successfully feeding common grackles:
- Provide food in a regular place and time. Grackles will learn the routine.
- Elevate dishes or have a bird feeder so cats cannot ambush. Cats may carry diseases.
- Provide clean water daily for drinking and bathing.
- Avoid crowding. Allow ample space for multiple birds to eat at once.
- Clean up uneaten food remains within 24 hours to avoid spoiling.
- Protect food from weather. Place in covered dishes or under shelter.
- Feed proper portions. Do not overfeed grackles.
- Remove food at night to avoid attracting predators like raccoons.
- Wash dishes/feeders regularly with soap and water to prevent disease spread.
Conclusion
Common grackles have diverse diets and are able to thrive on a variety of foods. When feeding grackles, try to approximate their natural diet of insects, seeds, nuts, fruits, and other foods as much as possible. Offer a varied diet and avoid unhealthy junk foods. With proper nutrition and care, backyard grackles can remain happy and healthy visitors. Feeding them appropriate foods will nourish them without encouraging nuisance behavior or dependence on humans. With some thought and effort, you can help sustain local grackle populations.