{"id":12897,"date":"2023-07-25T11:28:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T16:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=12897"},"modified":"2023-07-25T11:30:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T16:30:11","slug":"grackle-vs-starling-vs-blackbird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/grackle-vs-starling-vs-blackbird\/","title":{"rendered":"Grackle Vs. Starling Vs. Blackbird: What’s The Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re an avid birdwatcher or a casual observer, chances are you\u2019ve come across bird species that are challenging to tell apart. Grackles, starlings, and blackbirds are three such species, as they are all dark in color, migratory, and extremely widespread. So, how can you tell these birds apart? Keep reading as we compare and contrast the grackle vs. the starling vs. the blackbird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Grackle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Grackle<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A grackle is a type of black bird common throughout North America<\/a>. The grackle family contains 10 species of migratory birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These birds are dark in color. The males often have shimmery heads and necks, displaying shades of iridescent green, blue, purple, or gold in the light; females are typically more drab and brownish.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles often fly together in large flocks during migration\u2013and not just with other grackles. They may also flock with black birds belonging to other species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles lay 2-6 eggs each spring; the eggs are light blue in color splotched with brown. The females do all of the incubating, but both parents feed the young after they hatch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles typically nest in colonies of 30 or so mating pairs. These colonies will then group together during migration. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles move to warmer, southern areas of North America during the winter before returning to their northern breeding grounds when the weather warms up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Starling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Starling<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A starling<\/a> is a pretty passerine bird found primarily in North America and Europe, but also in parts of Asia and Africa. Like grackles, starlings are migratory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These birds are generally gray to black in color but dotted with white; their head, neck, and chest areas are beautifully iridescent. Sometimes they display bright colors all over, though females are typically brown.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of overall appearance, starlings are very similar to grackles, only they are smaller, and their white markings make them appear dusted with snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlings will fly in flocks during migration, sometimes flocking with birds of other species. Even outside of migration, they sometimes form large flocks for protection; they have been observed flying high enough to interfere with the movements of aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlings lay 4-7 eggs per brood and typically have two broods per year. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Blackbird?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Blackbird<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are various types of blackbirds belonging to different species. These migratory birds can be found throughout the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the purpose of this article, we will be referring to the Turdidae family of blackbirds, which includes the common blackbird<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This family of birds are typically jet black with no iridescence, though females may be dark brown or gray. Both sexes display large, bright yellow or orange beaks and distinctive yellow eye rings.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These blackbirds are known for grouping together in vast flocks which can number in the millions. They often migrate together with other bird species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blackbirds lay 3-5 eggs; the eggs are a light blue-green and splotchy, similar to grackle eggs. Also like grackles, the female incubates the eggs, whereas both parents feed the young. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackle vs. Starling vs. Blackbird: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can probably tell from the above descriptions, these three birds have many similarities as well as some notable differences. Let\u2019s take a look at some of those things which connect them as well as ways you can tell them apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxonomy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though grackles, starlings, and blackbirds are all classified as passerine birds, each of them belong to a different scientific family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n