Populations of the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) have been increasing especially in the north of Costa Rica. Their voice is an exceedingly diverse repertoire of harsh rattles interspersed with sharp loud whistling notes.

The gregarious birds have well adapted to urban areas and their large, noisy roosts are frequently found in the central plaza of towns in the Northern Nicoya Peninsula.

The male Great-tailed Grackle shimmers in iridescent black and purple, and trails a tail that will make you look twice. The rich brown females are about half the male’s size. In the evening, raucous flocks pack neighborhood trees, filling the sky with their amazing (some might say ear-splitting) voices.