Birds Active during the day

Greater Antillean Grackle

Quiscalus niger

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Greater Antillean Grackle is the bold, golden-eyed voice of the Caribbean. A master of adaptation, this glossy black bird brings charismatic energy and clever social behavior to every backyard it visits.

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Quick Identification

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Size

25-30 cm (10-12 in) in length; wingspan of 38-45 cm (15-18 in); weight 70-115 g (2.5-4 oz)

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Colors

Males are glossy jet-black with a violet or blue-green iridescent sheen; females are similar but slightly smaller and occasionally more matte. Both sexes feature striking pale yellow to white eyes.

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Key Features

Long, V-shaped 'keeled' tail used for steering and display
Piercing bright yellow or white iris
Heavy, slightly curved black bill
Iridescent black plumage with metallic highlights

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Highly omnivorous and opportunistic; they eat insects, small lizards, frogs, fruit, seeds, and human food scraps.

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Habitat Widespread across suburban gardens, city plazas, agricultural fields, and coastal mangroves.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Greater Antillean Grackle Live?

Native to the northern Caribbean, the Greater Antillean Grackle is a signature species of the Greater Antilles archipelago. Its core range spans across the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands. While it is a dedicated island resident, it thrives in nearly every terrestrial habitat these nations offer, from sea-level coastal plains to mid-elevation mountain valleys.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

6 Countries

450K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

Cuba Dominican Republic Haiti Puerto Rico Jamaica Cayman Islands

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Greater Antillean Grackle is an exceptionally social and vocal bird, often found in large, boisterous colonies. They are known for their 'displaying' behavior, where males puff out their feathers, spread their wings, and point their bills skyward while emitting a series of metallic whistles and clicks. They are highly intelligent and have adapted perfectly to human presence, often becoming quite tame in urban environments.

These birds are most active during the daylight hours, spending a significant amount of time foraging on the ground or in low vegetation. They are opportunistic problem-solvers, capable of opening food containers or working together to drive away larger predators. At night, they gather in massive communal roosts, often in thick trees or mangroves, where their collective chattering can be heard from blocks away.

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Camera Tips

To capture the true beauty of the Greater Antillean Grackle, lighting is your most important tool. Their feathers are structurally colored, meaning they require direct sunlight to show off their violet and blue iridescence. Position your backyard camera facing North or South to avoid direct lens flare, but ensure the area where the birds land is bathed in morning or late afternoon sun. If the lighting is too flat, these birds will simply look like black silhouettes on your footage.

Because they are bold and frequently forage on the ground, place your camera at a low height—between 2 and 4 feet—mounted on a fence post or a specialized bird-cam tripod. They are very curious and will likely investigate the camera itself, so ensure your housing is secure. A wide-angle lens is preferred because these birds rarely travel alone; you’ll often find four or five individuals interacting, competing for food, or displaying to one another within the same frame.

Attracting them to your lens is simple with a platform feeder or a shallow water basin. They are particularly fond of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and even soaked dog food or fruit scraps. If you use a motion-activated camera, set the sensitivity to high and use a short 're-trigger' interval. Greater Antillean Grackles move with quick, jerky motions and often fly off suddenly, so rapid-fire bursts or high-frame-rate video will give you the best chance of catching their unique tail-fanning displays.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Greater Antillean Grackle.

Boat-tailed Grackle

Found in the US; much larger with a significantly longer tail and different vocalizations.

Carib Grackle

Smaller in size and found primarily in the Lesser Antilles; lacks the specific 'squeaky hinge' call of the Greater Antillean.

Shiny Cowbird

Much smaller with a shorter, straight tail and dark eyes, unlike the yellow eyes of the grackle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. You will see them foraging intensely just after sunrise and gather in noisy groups for 'socializing' before sunset.

They are easily attracted with platform feeders containing cracked corn, seeds, or fruit. Providing a large, shallow birdbath is also highly effective, as they enjoy communal bathing.

They are omnivores. Their natural diet includes insects, lizards, and seeds, but they are famous for scavenging human leftovers in parks and outdoor cafes.

Yes, they are one of the most common birds in Caribbean towns and cities. They prefer settled areas with trees and open spaces over deep, undisturbed forests.

The Greater Antillean Grackle is significantly larger and has a much more pronounced, deeply 'V' shaped tail compared to the smaller Carib Grackle found in the Lesser Antilles.

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