Quiscalus Major

by Norman Johnson

Title

Quiscalus Major

Artist

Norman Johnson

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This male boat-tailed grackle was walking on the shore of Lake Parker in Lakeland, Florida's Lake Parker Park.

The boat-tailed grackle (quiscalus major) will be found almost exclusively around salt water, rarely being found more than 30 miles from it. The exception being the state of Florida where it is found all over the state. Its range is the southern United States from the Atlantic coast, through Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico states west to Texas. They don't migrate and most stay within ten miles of where they were born. They breed mostly in marshy areas,

They range in length from 10.2" to 14.6" with a wingspan of between 15.4" and 19.7." They are opportunisticly omnivorous scavanging small animals and plants along the seashore as well as visiting dumps and fast food parking lots for their meals. They also eat seeds, insects and small animals.

Male boat-tailed grackles are a glossy black with a purple iridescent sheen with a tail that is as long as the body. The females are a rich dark brown and about one half the size of the males. The tail is usually folded in a "V" shape.

Uploaded

October 20th, 2017

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