grackle

[ grak-uhl ]

noun

1. any of several long-tailed American birds of the family Icteridae, especially of the genus Quiscalus, having usually iridescent black plumage.
2. any of several Old World birds of the family Sturnidae, especially certain mynas.

grackle

/ ˈɡrækəl /

noun

1. Also calledcrow blackbird any American songbird of the genera Quiscalus and Cassidix, having a dark iridescent plumage: family Icteridae (American orioles)
2. any of various starlings of the genus Gracula, such as G. religiosa ( Indian grackle or hill mynah )

Word History and Origins

Origin of grackle¹

1765–75; < New Latin Gracula name of genus, based on Latin grāculus jackdaw

Word History and Origins

Origin of grackle¹

C18: from New Latin Grācula, from Latin grāculus jackdaw

Example Sentences

They withstand enormous loads of the virus without getting sick, passing it on to local species, like blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles, that mix with migrating flocks.

From Salon

Oddly, the dead birds on infected farms were not waterfowl, the migratory birds that typically spread the avian flu viruses to poultry, but “peridomestic” species such as grackles, blackbirds, and pigeons.

From Science Magazine

Across three different populations, the researchers first examined how quickly grackles learned food was hidden in one particular place over another.

From Science Daily

Researchers investigating the great-tailed grackle, a bird that has been establishing new populations across North America in the past few decades, reveal that behavior might play a key role in their success.

From Science Daily

There are the sleek black grackles that attack the birds and destroy their nests, as well as constant construction projects that replace flower gardens with concrete.

From Seattle Times