Carib Grackle
Quiscalus lugubris
Common in northern South America and the Lesser Antilles. Found in a variety of open habitats, including around towns and cities, especially abundant along the coast. Male is glossy black with a pointed bill and a yellow eye. Tail is fairly long and wedge-shaped. Females are dark grayish-brown with slightly paler on underparts and a yellow eye. Smaller and shorter-tailed than Great-tailed Grackle.
Identification
The adult male Carib grackle is 27 cm (11 in) long with a long wedge-shaped tail, although the latter is not so long as other grackles. Its plumage is entirely black with a violet iridescence, its eyes are yellow, and it has a strong dark bill. The adult female is 23 cm (9.1 in) long, with a shorter tail and brown plumage, darker on the upperparts. Young males are shorter tailed than adult males and have some brown in the plumage. Young females are very similar to the adult females.<p>The seven island subspecies differ from the nominate one in size, plumage shade (especially in the browns of the females), and vocalisations.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Quiscalus lugubris
- Authority
- Swainson, 1838
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Quiscalus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Carib grackle is a highly gregarious species, foraging on the ground for insects, other invertebrates, small fish, small frogs, lizards, or scraps. It is also known to catch small bats in the air. It can become very tame and bold, entering restaurants to seek food, normally feeding on leftovers. It will form groups to attack potential predators, such as dogs, mongooses or humans, and at night it roosts colonially.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Panyptila cayennensis
Small, fast-flying swift of humid tropical lowlands. Usually seen in pairs flying low over the forest canopy, but also ranges out over adjacent open areas, lakes, and rivers. Often in loose association with other small swifts, especially Vaux’s. Note the very narrow wings and long swallow tail, which is usually held closed in a long fine point rather than being spread to show the fork. The small size and bright white throat that contrasts with the black cap and body are distinctive.
Lesser Masked-Weaver
Ploceus intermedius
A small, slender weaver with a whitish eye and distinctive slate-colored (not pinkish) legs. The male has a black mask that extends to the peak of the crown in breeding plumage. The female is nondescript but has a distinctive pale eye and white belly. Pairs prefer riverine thicket and wooded savanna, where they breed colonially. In the non-breeding season, they form large flocks that may wander. Most other pale-eyed weavers have pinkish legs and a yellow crown in breeding plumage.
Marbled Murrelet
Brachyramphus marmoratus
Small seabird that breeds in old-growth evergreen forests, sometimes far from the coast. Often in small flocks on coastal waters, where it dives underwater searching for fish. Breeding plumage is dark brown with few contrasting marks; slightly darker cap and blotchy pale belly. Nonbreeding birds are sharply patterned black, white, and gray. Note black cap that extends below the eye, a white collar, and dark grayish pattern on back. Bill is very short and thin. Similar to several other species of murrelets and difficult to distinguish without good views, but note details of face pattern and range.
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