The amazing Common Grackle is long-lived, reaching upwards of 24 years, and is extremely resourceful. In a more agricultural setting, the communal bird, sometimes flocks can be numbered in the millions, is the number one threat to corn! They eat ripening corn and corn sprouts and their big flock foragings can decimate crops. They are also resourceful foragers, sometimes following agricultural “plows’ to catch invertebrates and mice, wade into water for small fish, raid nests, and even kill (and eat) adult birds. Their unique adaptation of their upper mandible allows them to saw open acorns. Definitely a non-discriminating pallet!
You might see a Common Grackle with wings spread, letting ants crawl into its feathers. This practice, called “Anting,” allows the ants to secrete formic acid (the chemical that stings) to help aid in ridding the bird of parasites. In addition to the ants, grackles have been noted using walnut juice, lemons, and limes in a similar fashion.
Common Grackles are familiar inhabitants of wet, open woodland and marshes as well as in suburbs, parks, and agricultural fields. A good way to find them is to scan large flocks of blackbirds and starlings. The tallest, longest-tailed blackbirds you see will most likely be Common Grackles.