Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola

(Lowery, 1938)

Vernacular names
English : Great-tailed grackle
French : Quiscale à longue queue

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Icteridae
Notes : 7 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 43 cm in length for a weight of 230 g, males being much longer and heavier than females. Males have a completely iridescent bluish violet plumage with a long and broad tail. Females are brown with shorter tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from central and western USA throughout Central America, south to north and western Colombia, to coastal western Peru. Subspecies found from New Mexico to Texas and north Mexico. Lives in originally found in swamps but can thrive in all kinds of habitats but forests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is very common throughout its range and thrives in man-made habitats. It continues to expand its range northwards and southwards.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Wild (Houston, Brownsville, San Antonio, Dallas, USA)

 

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