boat-tailed grackle

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) is a large bird found along the coastal eastern United States. It is characterized by its iridescent black plumage and a long, broad tail that often folds into a keel shape.1

Grackles, in general, belong to the family Icteridae and are known for their iridescent black feathers and long tails. They possess stout, pointed bills used for a varied diet, including insects, grubs, small vertebrates, and seeds. Many grackle species nest in colonies and form large flocks after breeding, which can sometimes lead to crop damage.2

An interesting characteristic of boat-tailed grackles is that their eye color can vary depending on their geographic location. Birds in Florida often have dark eyes, while those north of Florida along the Atlantic coast have straw-colored eyes. West of Florida, along the Gulf coast, their eyes appear light-colored.1