Black Bird with Blue Head: Grackle and Brewer’s Blackbird

So, that black bird with a blue head you saw? It was likely a grackle or a Brewer’s Blackbird. Maybe even a starling in the right light. Each bird is special. Each one shines in its own way.

Keep your eyes open—you might spot one again soon. And now, you’ll know just what you’re looking at. Nature has a way of surprising us when we slow down and look.

What Is the Black Bird with a Blue Head?

If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of a black bird shimmering with a blue head, you’re not alone—I remember the first time it happened to me. I was sipping coffee on the back porch when this glossy, dark bird landed on the fence. The sun hit just right. Boom! Its head lit up blue, like shiny ink. It looked like art. I had to know what it was.  So, what’s the bird? In most cases, it’s one of two feathered friends:

• The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
  
• The Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
  

They both wear glossy black coats and flaunt that signature blue or blue-purple head. But if you look a little closer, there are some key differences. Let’s break them down.

The Common Grackle

These birds are bold, flashy, and not shy about showing up in your yard.

Quick ID:

• Medium-sized black bird
  
• Shiny, iridescent blue head
  
• Bright yellow eyes
  
• Long tail (almost keel-shaped)
  
• Often looks sleek or polished
  

Where They Live:

• Found pretty much everywhere in the U.S., especially in the East and Midwest
  
• Also seen across Ontario and parts of Canada
  
• They love hanging out in open spaces—lawns, fields, parking lots, and even cities
  

How They Act:

• Travel in large, noisy flocks—especially outside of nesting season
  
• Known for their squeaky, metallic calls (think: a rusty gate)
  
• Eat almost anything—seeds, insects, scraps, even small frogs
  
• Smart and social—they’ve been seen following plows to grab insects kicked up from the soil
  

The Common Grackle is a black bird with a shiny blue head and yellow eyes, found across much of North America.

Personal note: I first spotted a grackle during a spring picnic in the Midwest. I remember thinking, “Wow, that bird looks like it belongs in a rock band.” Its feathers glinted blue in the sun, and it strutted around like it owned the park. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Brewer’s Blackbird (Male)

Smaller, subtler, but just as beautiful—this one often gets overlooked.

Quick ID:

• Slender build, smaller than a grackle
  
• Males: Iridescent blue-purple head, dark body
  
• Females: Brownish-grey, not as shiny
  
• Male eyes: bright yellow | Female eyes: dark brown
  
• Shorter bill and tail compared to the grackle
  

Where They Show Up:

• Common in the Western and Northern U.S.
  
• Also seen in Southern Canada, including parts of Ontario
  
• They’re not picky—fields, marshes, towns, and even schoolyards
  

What Sets Them Apart:

• Tamer voice than the grackle—more of a “check” call
  
• Smaller body and rounder head
  
• Tend to gather in smaller groups
  
• The males shimmer more purple-blue than true blue
  

Short answer: The Brewer’s Blackbird is a smaller blackbird with a blue or purple iridescent head, often found in the western U.S. and Canada.

Pro tip: If the bird looks sleek and long with a full-on rockstar attitude, it’s probably a grackle. If it’s a little more delicate and has a subtle shimmer, it’s likely a Brewer’s.

Other Birds That Might Look Similar

Brown-Headed Cowbird

At first glance, the Brown-headed Cowbird can fool you. I remember spotting one while walking my dog one morning. I thought, “Is that another blue-headed blackbird?” But once I got a closer look, the truth clicked—its head wasn’t blue at all. It was a deep, chocolate brown. Still glossy, but definitely different.

A Brown-headed Cowbird has a brown head. Its body is black or dark blue. But it does not have a blue head.  

Here’s how to spot the difference:

• Male cowbirds have a shiny, blackish body with a brown head
  
• Females are dull gray-brown all over
  
• They’re smaller than grackles but chunkier than blackbirds
  
• You’ll often see them near livestock or in open fields
  
• Unlike grackles, they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests (sneaky, right?)
  

They’re pretty common across North America, including Ontario. But if the head is clearly brown and the body’s not super glossy, it’s probably a cowbird.

Birds with Iridescent Feathers

Here’s where it gets tricky—iridescent feathers can play visual tricks on you. These birds shine like oil in the sun, showing flashes of blue, purple, green, or bronze. The color changes when it moves. It’s honestly one of my favorite things about birdwatching—it’s like nature’s version of holographic foil.

Birds with iridescent feathers often look like they have blue heads, especially in sunlight.

So what does “iridescent” even mean?

• It means the feathers change color depending on the light angle
  
• Think of soap bubbles, CDs, or beetle shells—that shiny rainbow effect
  
• The color isn’t a pigment—it’s caused by how light hits feather structures
  

Here are a few birds that might throw you off:

• European Starling – Smaller, super glossy, covered in sparkles during winter
  
• Rusty Blackbird – Looks dark and plain in winter, but males can shine a bluish-black in spring
  
• Common Grackle – Already covered above, but their colors vary wildly in different lighting
  

Personal tip: Once, I mistook a starling for a grackle until I saw it up close. The beak was thinner, the body more compact, and the feathers were flecked with little white dots. They were gorgeous, but not quite what I expected.

Is It a Small Black Bird with a Blue Head?

Yes—there are smaller black birds with blue heads, and they can be surprisingly easy to misidentify.

I still remember the first time I saw one.  I was walking my dog just after sunrise, and a tiny black bird zipped by and landed on a low branch. It had this gorgeous blue shimmer on its head, almost like it had dipped its feathers in paint. At first, I thought it was a baby grackle—but it turned out to be a European Starling. That moment taught me: size can be tricky.

 Small Birds That Look Like They Have Blue Heads

Short answer: Several small birds have iridescent blue heads, especially in certain light.

Here are some common ones that can throw you off:

• European Starling
  
  • Smaller and rounder than a grackle
    
  • Iridescent feathers with blue, purple, and green tones
    
  • Light-colored speckles in winter
    
  • Thin yellow beak
    
  • Common in city parks and suburbs
    
• Brewer’s Blackbird (male)
  
  • Slender and petite
    
  • Blue-purple head, black body
    
  • Smaller than a grackle, bigger than a sparrow
    
  • Bright yellow eyes
    
• Juvenile Grackles
  
  • Can look like smaller versions of adults
    
  • Less iridescent at first, but start showing that blue sheen as they mature
    
  • Sometimes mistaken for female blackbirds or starlings
    

 Why These Birds Look “Small”

Lighting, posture, and distance can make birds appear smaller than they really are.

It’s wild how often our eyes can play tricks. A bird puffing up its feathers or perching in a certain way can suddenly look much tinier. And if it’s far away or flying quickly, it’s easy to misjudge its true size.

I’ve mistaken adult Brewer’s Blackbirds for juveniles more than once. I’d spot one alone in a field and think, “Is that a baby grackle?” But when it got closer, the deep shimmer on its head gave it away. The size difference was real, but subtle.

 Size Comparison Cheat Sheet

Here’s a quick guide to tell who’s who based on size and looks.

Bird	Size	Key Features
Common Grackle	11–13 inches	Long tail, big build, very glossy
Brewer’s Blackbird	8–10 inches	Slim body, blue-purple head, yellow eyes
European Starling	7.5–9 inches	Compact body, yellow beak, speckled plumage
Brown-headed Cowbird	7.5–8.5 inches	Brown head, black body, stocky shape
Juvenile Grackle	9–11 inches (but looks smaller)	Duller colors, shorter tail, less shine

A small black bird with a blue head is most likely a European Starling, Brewer’s Blackbird, or a young Common Grackle—especially if it has iridescent feathers.

If you ever spot a sleek little bird flashing a hint of blue, take a second look. The smallest details—like the beak shape or the tail length—can be the key to ID’ing it. And if you’re anything like me, once you start noticing them, you’ll see them everywhere.

Spiritual Meaning of a Black Bird with a Blue Head

Seeing a black bird with a blue head can symbolize mystery, inner wisdom, transformation, and a message to trust your instincts.

I’ll never forget the first time one landed on the railing while I was sipping tea at sunrise. The world was quiet, and then—there it was. A sleek black bird with a deep blue shimmer on its head. It didn’t sing, didn’t move much. Just looked at me for a few seconds, like it had something to say. That moment felt… important. Like the bird had shown up just for me.

So what does it mean?

• Black often stands for mystery, the unknown, or protection.
  
• Blue is the color of truth, calm, clarity, and inner wisdom.
  
• Together, they create a beautiful contrast—a symbol of quiet strength and hidden knowledge.
  

A black bird with a blue head often represents a balance between mystery (black) and insight (blue), inviting you to listen to your inner voice.

Possible symbolic meanings:

• A message to trust your intuition
  → Especially when you’re second-guessing yourself or feeling lost.
  
• A sign of transformation
  → Like a nudge that you’re evolving—even if it’s hard to see right now.
  
• A reminder to observe quietly
  → Not every answer needs words. Sometimes, it’s about watching and feeling.
  

I’ve come to believe these birds show up when we need stillness. Not silence, exactly—but space. Space to hear our own thoughts. To notice the things we usually rush past.

Spiritually, black birds with blue heads are believed to appear during times of personal growth or decision-making.

And honestly, I’ve started paying attention to where and when they appear. It’s not every day. But they seem to show up when I’m reflecting, questioning, or about to make a big choice. Some say it’s a soft sign. Like, “You’re doing great. Keep going.”  

Where You Might See Them – Including Ontario

You can spot black birds with blue heads—like the Common Grackle and Brewer’s Blackbird—across much of North America, including cities, suburbs, and rural areas in Ontario.

I’ve seen these birds in places I never expected—from city sidewalks to quiet lakesides. The first time I noticed one in Ontario, I was walking near a park in Toronto. A glossy black bird landed right in front of me, and when the sun hit just right, its head sparkled this deep, electric blue. It stopped me in my tracks. It felt like nature had thrown a little magic my way.

You can find them in these places:  

• Ontario sightings:
  Black birds with blue heads—especially Common Grackles—are very common in Ontario. Brewer’s Blackbirds also make appearances, especially in southern and central regions.
  Short answer: Yes, you can definitely see these birds in Ontario, from city parks to cottage country.
  
• Urban vs rural areas:
  These birds are flexible. I’ve seen them hopping around parking lots in downtown areas and then later that day, soaring over wide-open fields in the countryside.
  Short answer: They live comfortably in both busy cities and quiet rural spots.
  
• Best time to spot them:
  Your best bet is spring through early fall. That’s when they’re most active, vocal, and colorful. In the colder months, they either migrate or blend in with winter flocks.
  Short answer: Look for them from March to September, especially during the morning or just before sunset.
  
• What to look for:
  If you’re not sure it’s one of “those” birds, here’s a tip:
  → When the sunlight hits just right, the head will shimmer blue or purple.
  → They often travel in groups and make sharp, creaky sounds.
  → Grackles are larger and bolder; Brewer’s Blackbirds are slimmer and more subtle.
  Short answer: Look for glossy black feathers, bright eyes, and a blue or purple shimmer on the head.
  

Personal note: One of my favorite sightings happened near a quiet trail north of Barrie, Ontario. I was walking my dog early in the morning. The light was soft.  The fog hadn’t even lifted yet. A grackle landed on a wooden fence post ahead of us, and the way it caught the early light—it looked like its head was glowing. I remember thinking, This is why I love birdwatching. It’s those quiet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments that stick with you.

So if you’re in Ontario—or honestly, anywhere in the U.S. or southern Canada—keep your eyes peeled. These birds are everywhere once you know what to look for.

Whether you live in a big city or near the woods, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen a black bird with a blue head—you just didn’t know what it was.

Conclusion

Ever spotted a black bird with a blue head and thought, “What is that?” I sure have. One landed on my fence one sunny morning, and its head shimmered like ink in the light. If you’ve seen one too, you’re not alone. In this guide, I’ll share what it might be, where to find it, and why it’s more special than you think.

Also Read: Caring for a 10 Day Old Bird: My Personal Guide