Carib Grackle

The Carib grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) is a striking bird, with the adult male boasting a glossy black plumage with a violet sheen and a notably long, wedge-shaped tail. This species is not as long-tailed as its other grackle cousins. The male's eyes are a piercing yellow, complemented by a robust, dark bill. In contrast, the adult female is somewhat smaller at 23 cm in length, with a shorter tail and a more subdued brown plumage that darkens on the upperparts. The young males share a resemblance with the adult males but have shorter tails and exhibit some brown in their feathers, while the young females closely resemble the adult females in appearance.

Identification Tips

To identify the Carib grackle, look for the male's iridescent black plumage and long tail, as well as the female's brown coloration. The yellow eyes and strong bill are also distinctive features. The various island subspecies may show variations in size, plumage shade, particularly in the females, and vocalizations.

Habitat

The Carib grackle is quite adaptable, making its home in open areas that include cultivated lands and regions with human habitation.

Distribution

This tropical blackbird is a resident breeder in the Lesser Antilles and northern South America, extending from Colombia eastward to Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. The most widespread subspecies is found in Trinidad and the South American mainland, with an introduction to Tobago dating back to 1905, where it has since become common.

Behaviour

The Carib grackle is known for its highly sociable nature, often seen foraging on the ground in search of insects, other invertebrates, small fish, frogs, lizards, and even catching small bats mid-flight. It exhibits a remarkable boldness, venturing into restaurants in pursuit of food scraps. When faced with potential threats, such as dogs, mongooses, or humans, these birds will band together to mount an attack. At night, they roost in colonies.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Carib grackle includes a blend of harsh and melodious ringing tones. A bell-like "tickita-tickita-tickita-ting" and a swift "chi-chi-chi-chi" are among the typical sounds. Notably, the calls exhibit dialectal variations across different islands, and the birds often puff up their feathers while calling.

Breeding

The Carib grackle prefers open environments for breeding, often near human settlements. It breeds colonially, with multiple nests, which are deep and lined cups, frequently found within a single tree. The clutch consists of two to four whitish eggs, with an incubation period of 12 days and a fledging time of 14 days. Although sometimes targeted by the shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) as a host for parasitism, the Carib grackle is adept at rejecting the cowbird's eggs.

Similar Species

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, it is important to differentiate the Carib grackle from other grackles and blackbirds by its unique size, tail length, and vocalizations, particularly when comparing island subspecies.

Diet and Feeding

The Carib grackle's diet is varied, including insects, invertebrates, small fish, frogs, lizards, and scraps. It is also known for its aerial agility, capable of snatching small bats in flight.

Conservation status

The Carib grackle is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss.