grackle Several species of stout-billed, New World blackbirds within the genera Quiscalus and Cassidix of the family Icteridae. Sometimes called crow blackbirds, they have blackish, iridescent plumage. The common grackle, Q. quiscula, of the USA, may reach 30cm (12in) in length. Species of Asian mina birds of the genus Gracula are also called grackles.

grackle bird of any genus orig. included in Gracula. XVIII. — modL. grācula, fem. formed to corr. to L. grāculus jackdaw.