To make it easier to picture the grackle in the wild, browse the images below.

 

The boat-tailed grackle (quiscalus major) will be found almost exclusively around salt water, rarely being found more than 30 miles from it. The exception being the state of Florida where it is found all over the state. Its range is the southern United States from the Atlantic coast, through Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico states west to Texas. They don't migrate and most stay within ten miles of where they were born. They breed mostly in marshy areas,

They are opportunistic omnivorous scavenging small animals and plants along the seashore as well as visiting dumps and fast food parking lots for their meals. They also eat seeds, insects and small animals.

Male boat-tailed grackles are a glossy black with a purple iridescent sheen with a tail that is as long as the body. The females are a rich dark brown and about one half the size of the males. The tail is usually folded in a "V" shape.