The Carib Grackles, Quiscalus lugubris, is a blackbird that is found in the tropical Americas.
Distribution / Range
The Carib Grackle occurs in the Lesser Antilles and northern South America east of the Andes, from Colombia east to Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. This aggressive species will form groups to attack potential predators.
Description
The adult male Carib Grackle measures about 27cm in length, including the long wedge-shaped tail. Juvenile males have shorter tails and may have some brown in the plumage.
The plumage is entirely black with a violet iridescence.
The eyes are yellow and its bill is blackish.
The adult female is a litttle smaller, measuring about 23cm in length. Her tail is shorter and her plumage is brown, darker on the upper plumage
Breeding / Nesting
The Carib Grackles breed in open areas, including cultivation and human habitation. These colonial breeder place 2 – 4 whitish eggs in deep, lined cup nests – often being built in one tree. The eggs are inducated for about 12 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) when they are about 14 days old.
Diet / Feeding
The Carib Grackle forages on the ground for insects, other invertebrates (= animals without internal skeleton, such as insects, larvae, earthworms, millipedes, snails, spiders) or scraps.
It can become very tame and bold, even entering restaurants for leftovers.
Calls / Vocalizations
The Carib Grackle’s song has been described as tickita-tickita-tickita-ting and a rapid chi-chi-chi-chi.
