Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Large coastal blackbird of marshes and parking lots. Males show keel-shaped “boat” tails and glossy iridescence.
Quick facts
| Group | Songbird |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★★ |
| Habitats | Salt marsh, Coastal bays, Ocean beach, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | year-round |
How to recognize them
- Males large and glossy black/blue with a long keeled tail; pale yellow eyes.
- Females smaller and brown—often near marsh edges and dunes.
Biology notes
- Coastal specialist relative to Common Grackle; forages in marshes, beaches, and around people.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague parking areas, marsh edges, and campground fringes.
- Ocean City bay-side lots and marsh borders.
When to look
- Year-round on the lower Eastern Shore.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Compare with Common Grackle (smaller, less coastal) when away from salt marsh.
