The grackle is a common blackbird found across North America. While “grackle” is the most widely used name for these birds, they are also known by some other common names that can cause confusion when talking about different grackle species. In this article, we’ll explore some of the other names used for grackles and discuss how they relate to the various grackle species.
Other Common Names for Grackles
Here are some of the other common names used for grackles besides just “grackle”:
- Crow blackbird
- Purple grackle
- Bronzed grackle
- Boat-tailed grackle
- Great-tailed grackle
- Common grackle
As you can see, some of the names contain descriptors that provide clues about the specific species, such as “purple,” “bronzed,” “boat-tailed,” and “great-tailed.” Other names like “crow blackbird” and “common grackle” are less specific.
Differences Between Grackle Species
There are several different grackle species found in North America, which accounts for some of the varied names. Here is an overview of some of the most common grackle species and how their names connect to their physical features:
Great-Tailed Grackle
As the name implies, this species is distinguished by its long, keel-shaped tail. Its scientific name is Quiscalus mexicanus. Great-tailed grackles are very large, around 18-24 inches in length. They have glossy black feathers that can show some bronzy or purple iridescence in bright light. Their eyes are bright yellow. These birds are found year-round in the Southwestern United States and down into Central America.
Common Grackle
The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) lives up to its name and is the most widespread grackle species found throughout North America. It is medium-sized at 11-13 inches long. Males have glossy, iridescent black feathers that can appear bronzed or purple-ish. Females are slightly smaller and brownish-black. Their eyes are pale yellow. Common grackles are associated with open woodlands near water.
Boat-Tailed Grackle
The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) gets its name from its unique tail that is shaped like the keel of an upside-down boat. They are large like the great-tailed grackle but only found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Males are black with a purple-blue iridescent sheen. Females are dark brown. Their eyes are brown. Boat-tailed grackles live in coastal marshes and wetlands.
Purple Grackle
There is no distinct “purple grackle” species. This name can refer to the male common grackle in breeding plumage when its dark feathers take on a deep purple, blue, and green iridescent sheen. The term “purple grackle” simply describes the color while “common grackle” refers to the actual species.
Bronzed Grackle
Like “purple grackle,” bronzed grackle is a descriptive term and not a distinct species. It refers to the bronze iridescence sometimes seen on the feathers of common grackles and great-tailed grackles. The amount of bronzy coloring can vary by individual and light conditions.
Why So Many Different Names?
Grackles belong to the Icterid family of birds, which includes many blackbird species. Here are some reasons why grackles have amassed so many common names:
- There are multiple grackle species with distinct features like tail shape, body size, habitat range, etc. This led to specific names like great-tailed grackle and boat-tailed grackle.
- The iridescent feather coloring seen on male grackles can vary from purple to blue to bronze depending on lighting conditions. This inspired names like purple grackle and bronzed grackle.
- Before the differences between species were well understood, any common blackbird might be referred to as a crow blackbird or common grackle.
- Regional names have cropped up for grackles in different parts of North America.
- The male and female birds of the same species can look very different, which sometimes led to them being viewed as separate types of grackles.
The proliferation of common names can make it confusing to figure out which specific grackle species a name refers to. But paying attention to key descriptors in the names can help identify if it’s describing the great-tailed, boat-tailed, common grackle, etc. The scientific names for each grackle species clears up a lot of the ambiguity around common grackle names.
Conclusion
While “grackle” is the most common catch-all name used, other common names for these birds include:
- Great-tailed grackle
- Common grackle
- Boat-tailed grackle
- Crow blackbird
- Purple grackle
- Bronzed grackle
The reasons for the many different common grackle names include the existence of several distinct species, varied iridescent feather colors, regional naming variations, and unclear delineations between males and females of each species. Paying attention to key descriptive words in a grackle’s name can help identify the specific species. Over time, the scientific naming convention has cleared up much of the confusion around properly telling the grackle species apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common grackle species?
The common grackle is the most widespread and numerous grackle variety found all across North America.
What does “bronze grackle” refer to?
Bronze grackle is a descriptive term referring to the bronze iridescent sheen the feathers of some common and great-tailed grackles display in certain light.
Is the purple grackle a real species?
No, purple grackle is just a common name used to describe the vibrant breeding plumage of male common grackles. It is not a distinct grackle species itself.
Where are boat-tailed grackles found?
Boat-tailed grackles live year-round along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America, frequenting coastal saltwater marshes and wetlands.
Do great-tailed grackles migrate?
Great-tailed grackles living at the northern edge of their range in the American Southwest will migrate south for winter. But most great-tailed grackle populations further south are year-round residents.
Key Takeaways
- Grackle species found in North America include the common grackle, boat-tailed grackle, and great-tailed grackle.
- The male common grackle’s colorful breeding plumage has earned it names like “purple grackle.”
- Regional naming differences and lack of early scientific knowledge led to multiple common names for grackles.
- Paying attention to descriptive terms in the common names can help identify which grackle species it refers to.
- Using the scientific names eliminates confusion over identifying the different grackle species.
Summary
Grackles are a common sight across much of North America, known for their flashy black feathers showing purple, blue, and bronze iridescence. While “grackle” is the most used common name, these birds have amassed many other common monikers over time, including great-tailed grackle, boat-tailed grackle, purple grackle, and bronzed grackle. The existence of multiple grackle species, varied plumage color between males and females, regional naming differences, and lack of scientific knowledge originally led to the proliferation of common grackle names. Paying attention to key descriptive words in the names provides clues about which specific grackle species is being referred to. Using the scientific naming convention clears up much of the confusion over properly identifying the different grackle varieties. While a grackle by any other name is still a grackle, being aware of the distinctions between common names can help provide clarity when talking about these ubiquitous North American blackbirds.