Grackles Grackles are medium-large, mainly bluish-black birds in the Icterid family, mainly in Quiscalus genus, from the Americas.

The GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE, also called the MEXICAN GRACKLE, Quiscalus mexicanus, ranges from the USA to the very northern coasts of South America.

The male (above), with a tail as long as the head and body, is black with iridescent blue.

The female (above) and juveniles are brown.

Photos in top row taken in Texas by Dr Harsha Vardhan Reddy. All others taken in Mexico and in Costa Rica by Alexandra Makhnina.

  

The GREATER ANTILLEAN GRACKLE, Quiscalus niger, is native to many of the Caribbean islands - those in the Greater Antilles including Cuba and Jamaica. Both male and female are black, females slightly less glossy. Photos above were taken in Jamaica by Alexandra Makhnina.