The majority of states have various laws and rules governing medical exemptions for window tint. Few states don’t have legislation or don’t let doctors make exceptions. Typically, a medical exemption form must be filled out if a medical condition arises that calls for tint between 35 percent and not less than 20 percent.
Common Grackle Identification
Large, lanky blackbirds with long legs, a long tail, and a long and heavy bill. Adult males appear dark overall, but have an iridescent bluish head and bronzy body in good light.
© Jack & Holly Bartholmai | Macaulay Library Wisconsin, April 06, 2018
Female
Lanky blackbird with a long tail and heavy, long bill. Females are slightly less glossy than males.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library Massachusetts, May 29, 2015
Adult males
The typical song, made by both males and females, is a guttural squeak accompanied by high-pitched, clear whistles. It lasts just less than a second and is often described as sounding like a rusty gate. While singing, males puff up their body feathers and spread their tails.
© Sarah Dzielski | Macaulay Library Louisiana, March 27, 2016
Adult male
Struts on long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching.
© Melissa James | Macaulay Library Florida, February 16, 2019
Adult male
Noisy and conspicuous blackbird with a long tail.
© Logan Parker | Macaulay Library Maine, April 27, 2017
Female (Purple form)
Females of the purple form can be similarly colored to males, but note the shorter tail that lacks a paddle shape.
© Michael O’Brien | Macaulay Library New Jersey, February 24, 2019
Female (Bronze form)
Females can be very dark, notably those of the bronze form.
© Ida & Carlos Furtado | Macaulay Library Ontario, June 08, 2020
Juvenile
Lanky blackbird with a long tail and hefty bill. Immatures are brownish overall, with a dark eye, and less glossy than adults.
© Simon Boivin | Macaulay Library Quebec, August 08, 2017
Juvenile
© Maxima Gomez-Palmer | Macaulay Library Illinois, July 15, 2020
Adult male
Found in agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.
© Epi Shemming | Macaulay Library Manitoba, May 13, 2017
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Looking for ID Help?
Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds.
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.
Relative Size
Larger than a Red-winged Blackbird; about the same size as a Mourning Dove 
robin-sized
Measurements
- Both Sexes
-
- Length: 11.0-13.4 in (28-34 cm)
- Weight: 2.6-5.0 oz (74-142 g)
- Wingspan: 14.2-18.1 in (36-46 cm)
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye. © Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay Library
You’ll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They’re also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes. © Epi Shemming | Macaulay Library
HOW TO GET MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FOR WINDOW TINT?
Each state has different rules for medically authorized window tinting. Depending on where you live, you may need to complete a vehicle tint-waiver request form – an affidavit signed personally by the applicant and signed and attested by a physician stating the applicant’s physical condition or disease that entitles the applicant to have tint darker than the legal percent or more installed in the applicant’s vehicle windows.
You might need to fill out some form along those lines depending on your state’s requirement. This affidavit must be delivered to the country tax collectors’ offices. The applicant shall not be charged for a tint waiver certificate. This certificate must be prominently displayed on the dashboard of the applicant’s car.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS FOR WHICH YOU CAN YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL WINDOW TINT
Even though there are several light sensitivity situations, some states only allow certain to qualify for darker window tints. There are states that do make exceptions for medical conditions such as Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah. Be sure to follow local laws and educate yourself on any requirements you may or may not be qualified for. What you need to know about typical photosensitive medical diseases is provided below:
5 Percent Window Tint
Oct 24, 2022 Vinyl Frog
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
SLE is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks its tissues, leading to extensive tissue damage and inflammation in the organs that are afflicted. It can affect blood vessels, the brain, the lungs, the skin, and the joints.
SYMPTOMS
The severe side effects of UVA and UVB exposure can include arthritis, weariness, skin rashes, joint discomfort and fevers.
PREVENTION
Your best option in these situations is to use a window film that is designed to block UV radiation. In shades as light as 70% or 90% visible light transmission, films including 3M Crystalline, Formula One Stratos, and Lumar’s Air and UV Protection Series products are available. 99% of the UV radiation from the sun is blocked by these virtually clear hues.
50 Percent Window Tint
Nov 03, 2022 Vinyl Frog
COCKAYNE SYNDROME
This hereditary disorder, which primarily affects children, is brought on by a developmental delay and brain malfunction and is characterized by rapid aging and sensitivity to light. If you have this condition, the sun can be a real pain, so you should darken your car windows to reduce exposure. Once your kids’ skin has been exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays, the DNA in their genes may no longer be able to be repaired by their cells as a preventative strategy. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can also lead to skin cancer.
SYMPTOMS
It has the following symptoms: Abnormal sense of smell, ataxia, dental cavities, photosensitive skin and skin blistering.
PREVENTION
You may stop up to 96% of harmful rays from entering your car by tinting the glass.
SOLAR URTICARIA
An unusual allergic response to sun exposure is called solar urticaria. It is impossible to treat solar urticaria. The hives can appear shortly after sun exposure, frequently in less than 30 minutes.
SYMPTOMS
The hives can cause itching, burning, and stinging sensations. You can experience different allergy symptoms if your skin is excessively covered with hives such as low blood pressure, headache, nausea, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and fainting. When a chemical in a patient’s body reacts to Ultraviolet rays and triggers an allergic reaction, it results in solar urticaria. It primarily affects persons around the age of 35 and can occur at any time of the year. Additionally, the illness could be chronic or just get worse a few times a year.
PREVENTION
It is impossible to treat solar urticaria. It can be managed by avoiding the sun. Some people only need to wear protective clothes, while others must stay out of the sun. You can place window tints on your windshield and windows to deflect harmful UV rays to prevent solar urticaria.
20 Percent Window Tint
Nov 28, 2022 Vinyl Frog
ALBINISM
A much-decreased rate of melanin formation is a characteristic of the genetic disorder albinism. The pigment that gives skin, hair, and eye color is called melanin. Albino individuals may have lighter skin and hair than other people. Vision issues are also rather typical.
SYMPTOMS
Albinos are more vulnerable to sun exposure since melanin generally shields the skin from UV radiation damage. Its symptoms include pale skin, hair, and eyes, patches of missing skin pigment, rapid eye movements (nystagmus), vision problems, and light sensitivity (photophobia). Patients are more likely to develop sun damage and skin cancer because of their acute photosensitivity to the sun’s rays on their eyes and skin.
PREVENTION
Albinism has no treatment available. You can control the condition by being diligent about sun protection. You can safeguard your eyes, hair, and skin by avoiding the sunlight, putting on sunglasses, wearing sun-protective clothing to cover up, and frequently applying sunblock. You might be able to get a prescription for window tinting if you have albinism.
XERODERMA PIGMENTOSUM
Extreme sun sensitivity is a symptom of the inherited disorder Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), which increases the risk of skin cancer and other health issues. XP patients are very vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
SYMPTOMS
Beginning at a very young age, exposure to even a very small amount of UV light causes severe sunburn and blistering. Eye issues, particularly with the eyelids, are also rather common in people with XP. Their eyes, like their skin, are extremely sensitive to light, which puts them at a marginally higher risk of developing cancer of the tongue, lips, and mouth.
PREVENTION
Preventive measures (such as avoiding the sun, applying sunscreen, and wearing protective clothes) and routine screening for changes in the skin, eyesight, and neurologic condition are used to control XP. To block harmful UV rays, you can also ask for doctors’ permission to place window tint on your windows and windshield.
