One of the most abundant breeding birds in North America. Their diet consists of animal and vegetable food, including insects and invertegrates, but also occasional eggs and nestlings. They love corn. They usually nest in dense colonies with as many as 10 to 30 pairs.

At left and below, photos taken March 11, 2007

Common Grackles are large (about 11-13.5 inches in length) iridescent blackbirds with pale yellow eyes and a long, sharp bill. females are about 12 percent smaller than males and slightly less glossy. Young birds are brown with brown eyes that turn yellow during their first autumn.

Grackles feed in pastures, farm fields or suburban lawns by walking (rather than hopping); they will steal food from other ground-feeders, such as robins.

Large iridescent blackbirds, the colors of the iridescent sheen varies by region.

Source: www.birds.cornell.edu, Mar. 18, 2007