boat-tailed grackle

[ boht-teyld ]

noun

1. a large grackle, Quiscalus major, of the southeastern U.S., that folds its tail into a shape resembling the keel of a boat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of boat-tailed grackle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

They compared the rapidly expanding great-tailed grackle with their closest relative, the boat-tailed grackle, who are not rapidly expanding their range.

From Science Daily

North America has its own similar species — the common and boat-tailed grackle.

From New York Times

Age determination and molt in the boat-tailed grackle.

From Project Gutenberg

In the south it is exceeded in size only by the Boat-tailed Grackle.

From Project Gutenberg

The nests are built of the same materials and the eggs are similar to those of the Boat-tailed Grackle, but larger; size 1.28 × .88.

From Project Gutenberg