Year round in southwestern areas of continent including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California. Summers in small areas north of year round habitat.

Numerous in marshes, arid grassland especially around settlements. Move in noisy flocks. During winter in cities, usually roost at in trees and on power lines near parking lots.

Male black with purple iridescence, long keel-shaped tail, flat crown. Yellow eyes.

Females smaller, brown with slight sheen above. Pale brown breast, throat, and eyebrow. Juvenile like female but with brown eyes but turn yellow over first winter.