Dear Grackle,
I live in an area that doesn't receive much rain and is very hot in the summer. I always see the poor, tattered-looking grackles in the parking lots and was wondering how they manage to find water when it is very scarce. Are those poor birds as thirsty as they look?
Thanks,
A grackle admirer
Dear Admirer,
I appreciate your concern, but there's no need to worry about us! While we do look quite tattered come summer, that's usually not due to poor health. Grackles molt in summer, then grow a new, glossy coat to keep us warm in winter. chances are, we're not as thirsty as we look. When we're not in the parking lot, we seek out water sources such as swimming pools, lawn sprinklers, small ponds or irrigated farmland. We're also great at keeping ourselves cool in the heat. When the mercury is high, you might see us open-beaked panting to cool down. And one more thing — while texas heat may feel devastating to humans, birds' bodies run an average of 102-109 degrees fahrenheit. As if you needed more proof that grackles are hot stuff!
Yours,
Grackle
Have a question for the grackle? Email us at magazine@tpwd.texas.gov and we will pass it along to our avian adviser. The grackle's opinions are its own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
