Common Grackle

Start with these clues

Look for a long tail and pale eye on adults.

Relative size

Medium

Look around

Lawn, Trees, Pond

Region and season

Mostly eastern and central; northern populations often migrate.

Compare carefully

European Starling looks more compact and short-tailed.

A photograph shows one individual and one view. Check several features, the date and a regional guide before settling on an identification.

Read the Audubon species account for fuller range, behavior and identification context.