The gloss is violet on the belly and tail, violet-green on the head, back, and breast, and blue-green on most of the wings.

The female is brown above with a pale supercilium (the stripe over the eye), made more obvious by the dark lores and ear coverts.

The thighs, flanks, and undertail coverts are dark brown, while the rest of the underparts are buff, darkest on the upper breast, and paler on the throat and belly.

The male has a less green gloss than the Nicaraguan grackle, while the female is darker below and has a less obvious supercilium.

It may be a fairly recent arrival in Costa Rica, where it is found in the Caño Negro area along the Río Frio.