Common Grackle: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Crows and Clever Birds · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. The common grackle has a built-in saw. A sharp ridge inside its bill lets it score open tough acorns and dried kernels.
2. It sometimes rubs insects over its feathers, a habit called anting. It may be coating itself with acid the insects give off.
3. At picnic spots, grackles wait for someone to drop a crumb, then rush in. They often snatch food right out of another bird's beak.
4. Its harsh song can sound like a buzzing power line. It can also copy other birds and even humans, though less well than a mockingbird.
5. In the breeding season, a male tips his head back and puffs up his feathers to keep rival males away. He also uses this pose to scare predators.

The quiz

1. What does the ridge inside the common grackle's bill help it do?

• Catch flying insects
• Score open acorns and hard kernels (correct)
• Filter water
• Sing louder

It works the ridge like a saw to open tough seeds.

2. What is anting?

• Building nests on anthills
• Following ants to find water
• Rubbing insects on its feathers (correct)
• Carrying ants to its chicks

The grackle rubs insects over its feathers, possibly to apply their acid.

3. What do grackles often do at outdoor eating areas?

• Snatch food from other birds' beaks (correct)
• Stay far from people
• Only eat flowers
• Sleep all day

They wait for dropped food and grab it, even from other birds.

4. What can the common grackle's song sound like?

• A flute
• A church bell
• Falling rain
• A buzzing power line (correct)

Its harsh song occasionally sounds like a power line buzzing.

5. Why does a male common grackle tip his head back and fluff his feathers?

• To dry off after rain
• To keep other males away (correct)
• To cool down
• To look for food in the sky

This display keeps rivals away and can also scare predators.

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