{"id":9767,"date":"2021-10-24T14:39:44","date_gmt":"2021-10-24T14:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9767"},"modified":"2021-10-30T10:37:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T10:37:34","slug":"what-do-grackles-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/what-do-grackles-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Grackles Eat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you have a bird feeder<\/a> or not, you\u2019ve probably seen grackles poking around your yard, looking for food. Have you ever wondered what they are looking for? What do grackles eat, exactly? What are their favorite foods, and are there any foods that they will not <\/em>eat? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer these questions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Common Grackle\u2019s Favorite Food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Grackles are known for having an extensive diet. They really aren\u2019t picky about the foods they eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But do they have a favorite food? Is there any particular food or food group they like more than others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it isn\u2019t clear exactly which foods grackles most prefer, insects seem to be pretty near the top of the list. Grackles eat all types of insects, from flies to grubs to beetles to centipedes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles can often be seen eating together in groups, foraging the tasty bugs from the ground. Insects are the food of choice during nesting season and make up the majority of their diet throughout the year except during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they can\u2019t get enough insects, or if they have access for an easy meal of some other type, they will usually take advantage of whatever opportunity presents itself. Grackles are smart and can be quite creative when it comes to finding food.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sometimes eat crayfish along with small fish and frogs in wetland areas. They will snatch them out of the water or off the bank, and sometimes they\u2019ll even creep close to turtles to pick leeches off their legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also eat lizards and small rodents such as mice and young rats. Sometimes they will even eat small birds of other species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, grackles sometimes eat eggs of other birds which they steal from the nest. They may also eat the remains of eggs and babies that have fallen out of the nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grackles don\u2019t just eat insects and animals though. They also eat plant matter such as grass and weeds, seeds, berries, and grain, often congregating around backyard feeders. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their preference for insects and other animal foods, grackles eat a fair amount of plant foods as well, especially during the winter. In fact, seeds and grains may make up the majority of their diet in the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Baby Grackles Eat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Baby grackles eat mostly insects brought to them by their parents. They may also receive small amounts of plant matter such as seeds and grain, as this is an important part of their diet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both parents feed the nestlings, and between the two of them they may feed their babies about 6 times per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the parents will continue to feed young grackles after they have fledged from the nest, as shown briefly in the following video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zDoI6Bi9WXo<\/a>