Quiscalus mexicanus
(Great-tailed Grackle)

Physical Description:
Length 15-18". Male Iridescent blue-black with a long keeled tail and a yellow eye. Female brown backed with a buffy chest and breast.

Similar species- Common Grackle is smalller, Brewer's Blackbird has shorter tail.

Song:
A series of loud clacks and whistles, raucous.

Distribution:
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and rapidly expanding into Nevada, southern Oregon, and southern Idaho. Irrigated agriculture has allowed the expansion of the species throughout the West.

Habitat:
Marshes and riparian zones near rivers, as well as open farmlands with scattered groves of trees, and around human habitation.

Diet:
Insects, fruit, grain, and seeds, as well as lizards, bird eggs, and ectoparasites off domestic stock.

Ecology:
Nest in colonies, where they displace native species either directly or by eating their eggs and young. Frequently feed aroundlivestock, where they are loud and vocal birds.

Reproduction:
Promiscuous. Female builds a cup nest in reeds or brush where she lays 3-5 eggs. They are incubated by the female only for 13-14 days, and young are fed by the female for anouther 20-23 days. Nested in Marshing area along the Snake River, probably near Lake Lowell, and near Burley.

Conservation:

Element Code:	-
Status:	Protected nongame species
Global Rank:	G?
State Rank:	S?
National Rank:	-

Important State References:
No references are available at this time.