Hi, Grackle!
Recently I learned the name "grackle" is derived from graculus, the Latin word for jackdaw, a Eurasian crow; however, you are more closely related to orioles, bobolinks and meadowlarks. Do you find this confusing or misleading? By the way, why are grackles always staring upwards?
Highest regards,
Phillip E. Schwab
Dear Fan,
I appreciate the fun fact! People do sometimes assume we are closely related to crows, but I think that’s less likely due to the root word of our name, and more likely because of how smart and beautiful and glossy-black we are.
Regarding our iconic, upward-facing silhouette, scientists call it “Bill tilt” or “Sky pointing,” and it’s a courting behavior! We’re not really looking at the sky, because our eyes are on the sides of our heads. Both male and female grackles do it, although males bill tilt more often, especially when several of us are competing for one lady. It’s like a contest – the male who can keep his head tilted the farthest back and hold the position the longest is usually successful at winning over a mate. A beautiful human may turn heads, but a beautiful grackle tilts them!
Yours,
Grackle
