Boat-tailed Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) is in the New World Blackbirds and Orioles family (Icteridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 34,568 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Boat-tailed Grackle: observations by month (U.S.)

About Boat-tailed Grackle

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found as a permanent resident on the coasts of the southeastern United States. It is found in coastal saltwater marshes, and, in Florida, also on inland waters. The nest is a well-concealed cup in trees or shrubs near water; three to five eggs are laid.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Boat-tailed Grackle by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus

Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater

Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula

Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula

Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus

Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ