How to identify the Boat-tailed Grackle

To correctly identify the Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

30-37 cm (12-14.5 in)

Wingspan

40-50 cm (16-20 in)

Weight

Male: 130-250 g (4.6-8.8 oz), Female: 90-115 g (3.2-4.1 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adult males are entirely glossy black with iridescent purple, blue, and green sheens, particularly noticeable in good light. The tail is long and keeled (boat-shaped), especially prominent in flight. Adult females are duller, typically dark brown on the upperparts and paler brown on the underparts, with a less pronounced, but still long, tail. Some female populations (e.g., in Florida) can be darker, almost black, resembling males but lacking the strong iridescence and having a smaller tail.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Long, stout, conical, and sharply pointed, black in color.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Pale yellow to straw-colored in adults, dark in juveniles.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Black

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Large size, very long, keeled tail (especially males), pale yellow eyes, and distinctive vocalizations. The male's iridescent plumage is a key feature.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller brown, often with streaking on the underparts, and have dark eyes. Their tails are shorter and less developed than adults.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round, though wear and tear can make iridescence appear less vibrant over time.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males are significantly larger, entirely iridescent black, and have a much longer, more dramatically keeled tail. Females are smaller, duller brown (though some populations can be dark), and have a shorter, less keeled tail.

Key field marks

• Size and Shape. Look for a large, slender blackbird with a very long tail. The male's tail is distinctly keeled (boat-shaped), especially prominent in flight. Females are smaller with a long, but less dramatically keeled, tail.
• Plumage Color. Adult males are entirely glossy black with iridescent purple, blue, and green sheens. Adult females are typically dark brown above and paler brown below, though some populations can be very dark.
• Eye Color. Adults have striking pale yellow to straw-colored eyes, which contrast sharply with their dark plumage. Juveniles have dark eyes.
• Habitat. They are almost always found near water, particularly in coastal marshes, estuaries, and wetlands, or in urban areas adjacent to water bodies.
• Vocalizations. Listen for their distinctive harsh, raspy calls, squeaks, and gurgles, which are quite different from the clearer whistles of other blackbirds.

Explore the Boat-tailed Grackle