New World Blackbirds (Icteridae)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) - HBW 16, p. 778
French: Quiscale bronzé
German: Purpurgrackel
Spanish: Zanate Común
Other common names: Florida Grackle (quiscula); Bronzed Grackle (versicolor); Purple Grackle (stonei)
Taxonomy: G.[racula] Quiscula Linnaeus, 1758, coast of South Carolina, USA.
According to DNA data, this species is ancestral to other members of genus. In the past, races versicolor and stonei were sometimes treated as two separate species. Further, these two races intergrade in E USA from Connecticut S to Louisiana; intermediate populations described as a distinct race, ridgwayi, but such treatment of this variable form unwarranted. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- versicolor Vieillot, 1819 - breeds in S Canada from E British Columbia E to S Quebec and Newfoundland, S in USA (E of Rocky Mts and W of Appalachians) to C Texas and W Mississippi; winters S to S Texas and E to South Carolina.
- stonei Chapman, 1935 - E USA from New Jersey and Pennsylvania S (mostly along Appalachians) to inland Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
- quiscula (Linnaeus, 1758) - SE USA on Atlantic and Gulf coasts from S North Carolina S to Louisiana and S Florida (including Florida Keys).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Eating seeds and a worm. Locality Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (ssp versicolor)
Ken Simonite 16 May 2012 44 weeks ago 15 sec 4.7 -
An adult bird on a branch Locality Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontario, Canada (ssp versicolor)
Don DesJardin 30 April 2005 5 years ago 16 sec 4.6 -
A male at a feeder, puffing out the plumage and calling twice Locality Greenwich Audubon Centre, Connecticut, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 1 May 2006 6 years ago 45 sec 4.6 -
Four birds at a feeder, including close-ups of a purple male Locality Greenwich Audubon Centre, Connecticut, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 1 May 2006 6 years ago 50 sec 4.3 -
An young individual perched on a branch, looking around. Locality Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA (United States)
Josep del Hoyo 16 June 2012 38 weeks ago 21 sec 4.2 -
Two males displaying at the water’s edge Locality Central Park, New York City, New York, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 2 April 2000 10 years ago 19 sec 4 -
An adult foraging and feeding a fledgling, on a lawn. Locality Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA (United States)
Josep del Hoyo 16 June 2012 38 weeks ago 23 sec 4 -
An adult male foraging on a lawn. Locality Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA (United States)
Josep del Hoyo 16 June 2012 38 weeks ago 28 sec 4 -
A male calling at a feeder and from the roof of the house Locality Greenwich Audubon Centre, Connecticut, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 1 May 2006 6 years ago 32 sec 4 -
An adult looking for food and feeding a fledgling, on a lawn. Locality Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA (United States)
Josep del Hoyo 16 June 2012 38 weeks ago 18 sec 3.8 -
A male at a feeder Locality Greenwich Audubon Centre, Connecticut, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 1 May 2006 6 years ago 43 sec 3.6 -
A male in breeding plumage foraging in the grass Locality Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Alexander Grimwade 24 March 2006 7 years ago 17 sec 3.6 -
A bird at a feeder. Locality Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 10 May 2011 1 year ago 17 sec 3.5 -
feeding at feeder Locality Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Martin Kennewell 5 March 2006 1 year ago 24 sec 3.5 -
Male territorial display with non-vocal sounds Locality Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA (United States)
Dennis Mayerschoff 4 June 2012 49 weeks ago 42 sec 3.4 -
A bird feeding on a lawn and puffing out its plumage Locality Wellesley Inn, Armonk, North Castle, New York, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 30 April 2006 6 years ago 24 sec 3.4 -
Two males displaying Locality Central Park, New York City, New York, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 2 April 2000 10 years ago 25 sec 3.4 -
A female at a feeder Locality Greenwich Audubon Centre, Connecticut, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 1 May 2006 6 years ago 37 sec 3.3 -
A large flock, including some Red-winged Blackbirds, landing in a cornfield, taking off and flying into the trees. Locality Maryland, USA (United States)
Robert Schaefer 27 December 2007 4 years ago 29 sec 3.3 -
An adult bird perched in a tree. Locality Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, USA (United States) (ssp versicolor)
Josep del Hoyo 10 May 2011 1 year ago 11 sec 3.2
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