The way in which they approach us (especially when we have food!) is also a symbol of bravery. Grackles are utterly, utterly fearless when it comes to seeking out their desires. So, for us, this is a sign that we too should consider what we want in life.

Are grackles good or bad?

“They get a bad rap because they enjoy crop plants like sorghum, wheat and corn and they get into bird feeders and drive people nuts. But they control insect populations, and a lot of those insects are harmful to plants,” she says. “And they fit into the food chain well — they eat things and things eat them.”

What do black birds typically symbolize?

In some cultures, blackbirds are considered a bad juju. They are associated with the Otherworld and even believed to bring the message of death. Black, as color alone, is associated with magic and mystery, especially witches. So, this symbolism of darkness is partly due to the black wings blackbirds possess.