grackle

grack·le

noun \ˈgra-kəl\

Definition of GRACKLE

1

: any of a genus (Quiscalus of the family Icteridae) of large American blackbirds having iridescent black plumage

2

: any of various Asian starlings (as the hill mynahs)

Origin of GRACKLE

New Latin Gracula, genus name, alteration of Latin graculus jackdaw

First Known Use: 1772

Rhymes with GRACKLE

cackle, crackle, hackle, macle, rackle, shackle, spackle, tackle

grackle

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)—Thase Daniel

Any of several songbird species (in the family Icteridae) having iridescent black plumage and a long tail; also called crow-blackbird. Grackles use their stout, pointed bill to snap up insects, dig grubs from the soil, and kill small vertebrates, including fishes and baby birds; they can also crack hard seeds. The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) of North America is about 12 in. (30 cm) long. The males of two Cassidus species (boat-tailed and great-tailed grackles) have a long, deeply keeled tail; these species are found in arid lands of the southwestern U.S. to Peru and in salt marshes from New Jersey to Texas, where they are locally called jackdaws. See also blackbird, mynah.