When do grackles and blackbirds leave District of Columbia?

Most Common Grackles have left District of Columbia by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late November.

When is the best time to see grackles and blackbirds in District of Columbia?

The Common Grackle is reported most often in early June, on about 56% of District of Columbia checklists.

Which grackles and blackbirds are in District of Columbia?

Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, and Bobolink are reported regularly; the Common Grackle is the most common.

6 blackbird species in District of Columbia

When Do Grackles and blackbirds Arrive in District of Columbia?

Photo: Derek Spencer, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds are the grackles and blackbirds you are most likely to see in District of Columbia. Common Grackles reach District of Columbia in the second week of January, are common by mid February, peak in early June (56% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.

When to look

First arrivalsJan 8-14the second week of January

Common byFeb 15-21mid February

PeakJun 1-7early June

Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: early June. First arrivals the second week of January; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 56% of District of Columbia checklists.

Janrare
Febuncommon
Marcommon
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octuncommon
Novuncommon
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grackles and blackbirds in District of Columbia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Common Grackle	Jan 8-14	Feb 15-21	Jun 1-7	Nov 1-7	56%
Brown-headed Cowbird	Feb 22-28	Mar 15-21	Apr 22-30	Jul 8-14	43%
Red-winged Blackbird	Feb 22-28	Feb 22-28	Jul 8-14	Aug 1-7	35%
Eastern Meadowlark	Sep 22-30	Sep 22-30	Oct 15-21	Nov 22-30	3.9%
Rusty Blackbird	Oct 15-21	Oct 15-21	Nov 15-21	Jan 15-21	3.1%
Bobolink	Apr 22-30	Apr 22-30	May 8-14	May 22-31	2.2%

Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in District of Columbia that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in District of Columbia

Best counties for Common Grackle

Share of checklists at the peak

District of Columbia CountyBest early June · 1902 checklists that week, 121,721 in all56%

Common questions

When do grackles and blackbirds arrive in District of Columbia?: Common Grackles reach District of Columbia in the second week of January, are common by mid February, peak in early June (56% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.
When do grackles and blackbirds leave District of Columbia?: Most Common Grackles have left District of Columbia by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late November.
When is the best time to see grackles and blackbirds in District of Columbia?: The Common Grackle is reported most often in early June, on about 56% of District of Columbia checklists.
Which grackles and blackbirds are in District of Columbia?: Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, and Bobolink are reported regularly; the Common Grackle is the most common.