Grakle

Grakle, the common name of many birds of the Starling family (Sturnidæ), all tropical or subtropical. They have very much the habits of starlings, which some of them even excel in their imitative powers, and particularly in the imitation of human speech. This is remarkably the case with the Mina Birds or Hills Mynas (Gracula javana), common in India, which are easily tamed and taught. Many grakles feed on seeds and fruits, while others are useful as destroyers of insects. See STARLING.—In the United States the name Grakle or Grackle is applied to several species of the genera Scolopophagus and Quiscalus, omnivorous birds, also called 'blackbirds' and 'boat-tails.'