22 October 2023

The great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), a close relative of our common grackle, is so numerous and annoying in Austin, Texas in the winter that there are always news stories about them. This interview with a grackle researcher revealed a very cool fact about great-tailed grackles that probably applies to our grackles as well.

Great-tailed grackles can move their eyes independently to keep watch in two different directions at the same time! Check out the video below.

Look how he can move his eyes!

(credits are in the captions; click on the captions to see the originals)