The Great-tailed Grackle is a large, highly adaptable blackbird that has become one of the most conspicuous urban and agricultural birds in Arizona. Males are striking, measuring about 16–18 inches (41–46 cm) with iridescent black plumage that shimmers purple, blue, and green in the light, a large wedge-shaped tail, and piercing yellow eyes. Females are smaller, about 13 inches (33 cm), with brown plumage, darker wings and tail, and a more slender build.
Originally native to Mexico and Central America, Great-tailed Grackles expanded northward in the 20th century, arriving in Arizona in the early 1900s and now thriving throughout the state. They are common in cities, towns, farmland, golf courses, wetlands, and riparian corridors, where they forage opportunistically for insects, seeds, fruits, human food scraps, and even small vertebrates. Their loud, varied calls—ranging from whistles and squeaks to harsh clacks—make them an unmistakable presence.
In Arizona, they are year-round residents and abundant breeders, often nesting colonially in trees near water or human habitation. Their adaptability to disturbed landscapes has allowed them to spread widely, making them one of the most familiar large blackbirds of the Southwest. While sometimes considered agricultural pests or noisy nuisances, Great-tailed Grackles are also admired for their intelligence, striking appearance, and complex social behavior.
Female