Common Grackle - Ross Feldner The Common Grackle was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish biologist and physician, who formalized the modern system of naming organisms. It is a species native to the United States and belongs to the Icterid family which includes orioles and meadowlarks. This bird is a talented and aggressive opportunist that will eat almost anything. As its formal name indicates, it is a fairly common bird across America and can be seen striding across lawns in search of insects as well as vising feeders for seeds. It has a very diverse diet that includes spiders, crayfish, frogs, minnows, small rodents and grasshoppers, as well as berries, seeds, grain and acorns. Common Grackles will even steal food from other birds including worms from robins! They nest in colonies of 10-30 pairs building nests that are well hidden in trees. Being bold opportunists, they will occasionally nest in tree holes, inside old buildings and even in parts of active Osprey and Great Blue Heron nests! | |
