grackle
Definition
Noun: 1. A long-tailed American blackbird (Quiscalus quiscula) with iridescent black plumage. 2. A glossy black Asiatic starling (Gracula religiosa), often kept in captivity and taught to mimic human speech.
Usage and Examples
- The grackle is a common sight in North American parking lots, where it struts with its long tail.
- A flock of noisy grackles descended on the field to forage for insects.
- The hill myna, also known as the grackle, is a talented mimic that can learn to repeat words and phrases.
- He owns a pet grackle that can whistle a perfect rendition of a popular tune.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The term "grackle" refers to two distinct types of birds from different families and continents. Context is essential to determine which bird is meant.
- In North America, "grackle" almost always refers to birds of the genus (family Icteridae). They are known for their keel-shaped tails, iridescent feathers that can show purple, blue, or green hues in sunlight, and loud, creaky calls.
- In Asia, particularly in aviculture, "grackle" commonly refers to the hill myna (family Sturnidae), a species prized for its exceptional ability to mimic sounds and human speech with great clarity.
Variants and Related Words
- Common Grackle (): The most widespread North American species.
- Boat-tailed Grackle (): A larger species found in coastal southeastern United States.
- Great-tailed Grackle (): A species found in the southwestern U.S. and Central America.
- Hill Myna (): The formal name for the Asiatic starling often called a grackle.
Synonyms
- For the American bird: blackbird (general term, though not all blackbirds are grackles), crow-blackbird (archaic).
- For the Asiatic bird: hill myna, talking myna, Indian grackle.
Word Relationships
- Hypernyms (More General Terms): blackbird, starling, bird, passerine, songbird.
- Hyponyms (More Specific Terms): common grackle, boat-tailed grackle, great-tailed grackle.
- Meronyms (Part of): The grackle has a beak, iridescent plumage, and a long tail.
Noun
-
long-tailed American blackbird having iridescent black plumage
-
glossy black Asiatic starling often taught to mimic speech
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