Across Texas, from its bustling cities to its vast rural areas, large black birds are a common sight. These avian residents are widespread, often gathering in noticeable numbers, whether soaring overhead or congregating on the ground.
Common Texas Grackles
Among the most recognizable of Texas’s large black birds are the grackles, particularly the Great-tailed Grackle and the Common Grackle. The Great-tailed Grackle is readily identified by its iridescent black plumage, which shimmers with purple, blue, or green hues when caught in sunlight. Its bright yellow eyes are a striking feature, and males are distinguished by their notably long, keel-shaped tails, which they can fan out. Common Grackles, while also iridescent, are generally smaller and have a shorter, less prominent tail, but share the characteristic yellow eye of the Great-tailed Grackle.
Grackles are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which can range from loud, raspy calls to sounds described as a rusty gate or crackling brush. These adaptable birds frequently congregate in large flocks, often seen in urban and suburban settings like parking lots and parks, as well as agricultural areas. Their diet is omnivorous and opportunistic, including insects, seeds, fruits, and even small vertebrates or eggs of other birds. This dietary flexibility allows them to thrive in various environments.
Crows and Ravens in Texas
Texas is home to several species of crows and ravens, all characterized by their entirely black plumage and robust builds. Differentiating between these intelligent birds often depends on distinctions in size, vocalizations, and flight patterns. Common Ravens are generally larger than American Crows, with a wingspan that can exceed four feet.
Their calls offer a key to identification; American Crows are known for their familiar “caw-caw” sound, while Common Ravens produce a deeper, gurgling croak. Fish Crows, often found near water, have a more nasal “kwok” or “uh-uh” call, distinct from the American Crow’s vocalizations. In flight, ravens often soar with less frequent wingbeats and may hold their wings straighter than crows, which typically flap more continuously.
Both crows and ravens are highly intelligent and social birds, capable of complex behaviors. They inhabit diverse environments, from open country and forests to urban areas. Their social structures can involve large communal roosts, and they are known for their problem-solving abilities and varied diets.
Texas Vultures: The Scavengers
Texas hosts two prominent vulture species, the Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture, both serving as nature’s clean-up crew. These large birds are distinguishable by their featherless heads, a trait that helps them remain clean while feeding on carrion. The Turkey Vulture has a red, featherless head, while the Black Vulture’s head is grayish-black.
Their flight patterns offer another clear distinction. Turkey Vultures often soar with their wings held in a slight “V” shape, known as a dihedral, and they tend to wobble or teeter in flight. They flap their wings infrequently, relying on thermals to stay aloft.
In contrast, Black Vultures fly with their wings held more horizontally and exhibit shorter, more frequent wingbeats followed by brief glides. Black Vultures also have distinctive white patches on the underside of their wingtips, which are visible in flight. Both species primarily feed on carrion, playing a crucial role in removing decaying animal matter from the environment.