Iridescent plumage
Coastal saltwater
Sand forage
Exhibiting behavioral flexibility, grackles are extremely opportunistic omnivores. They often forage near water, by walking on the shore and catching items with rapid bill thrusts. Food particles wash-in with the waves, including many insects, crabs, mussels, shrimp, and small fish.
“At times the grackles waded into the water with their tails elevated and plunged their heads under the surface for food.” – Steven J. Zottoli