Bobolink Bird Facts (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

The Bobolink is a small songbird with a unique appearance. Breeding males display a bold black plumage with white shoulders and back and a distinctive buff-yellow patch on the nape (back of the head). Their bill is short and conical, and dark in color during the breeding season.

Females and winter males are more subdued, with light brown feathers streaked with darker brown, resembling large sparrows. They have a distinctive pale stripe on the crown (top of the head) bordered by darker stripes, and their bill is pale in color.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Bobolink can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Bobolink can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Bobolink is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Bobolinks breed in open grasslands, hayfields, and meadows across northern United States and southern Canada. They prefer areas with a mix of grasses and broad-leaved plants for nesting and foraging.

During winter, they migrate to South America, particularly Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, where they inhabit grasslands and agricultural areas. They pass through the Caribbean and Central America during migration.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bobolink. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Canada United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

British Virgin Islands Costa Rica US Virgin Islands

Species that pass through the area during migration

Belize

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

France Gibraltar Greenland Guadeloupe Ireland Italy Norway Portugal The United Kingdom

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Highly agile flyer capable of elaborate hovering displays and precise manoeuvres during breeding season. Their ability to navigate through grasslands and perform complex aerial courtship displays demonstrates remarkable aerial prowess.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small songbird (29-56g), the Bobolink possesses modest strength relative to larger birds. Whilst capable of long-distance migration, their physical power is proportionate to their diminutive size.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Exceptional adaptability evidenced by their remarkable twice-yearly migration, ability to thrive in various grassland habitats across multiple continents, and capacity to shift between different food sources seasonally. Their successful navigation of agricultural landscapes further demonstrates this trait.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Displays moderate territorial behaviour during breeding season, particularly amongst males, but not notably aggressive compared to other species. Their social nature during migration and winter periods suggests a generally peaceful disposition.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Outstanding endurance demonstrated by their extraordinary 12,500-mile annual migration journey, one of the longest among North American songbirds. Their ability to maintain hovering flight displays and traverse vast distances across multiple continents showcases remarkable stamina.

Bobolinks are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds of grasses and weeds. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles.

In rice-growing regions, they may feed on cultivated grains, leading to their nickname 'ricebird'.

Bobolinks are known for their bubbly, tinkling song delivered during hovering flight displays over their territories. They often perch on tall grass stems or fence posts.

During migration, they form large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands, and can be seen feeding in rice fields or grasslands.

The Bobolink's song is a unique, bubbling cascade of notes often described as 'bob-o-link' or 'bink, bink, bobolink'.

Males sing enthusiastically during the breeding season, both while perched and in flight. Their call is a sharp 'pink' or 'chink' sound, often heard in flocks.

Bobolinks breed once annually, typically from May to July. Males perform elaborate flight displays to attract females, singing their bubbling song while hovering over territories.

Females construct cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden in dense vegetation. They lay 5-7 eggs, which are pale gray to reddish brown with dark blotches.

Incubation lasts about 11-13 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 10-14 days but remain dependent on adults for another 1-2 weeks.

The Bobolink typically lives for 4 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 9 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Bobolink populations have declined significantly due to habitat loss and agricultural practices.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving grasslands and promoting bird-friendly farming methods, particularly in their breeding grounds across North America.

Look for Bobolinks in open grasslands and hayfields during the breeding season
Listen for their distinctive bubbling song, often given in flight
Observe early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
In the US, watch for large flocks during spring and fall migration

Bobolinks face threats from various predators, including hawks, owls, foxes, and snakes, which prey on adults, nestlings, and eggs.

Bobolinks undertake one of the longest migrations of any North American songbird, traveling up to 12,500 miles round trip annually.
Male Bobolinks molt twice a year, changing from their distinctive breeding plumage to a camouflaged winter plumage.
The scientific name Dolichonyx oryzivorus means 'long-clawed rice eater', referring to their diet in rice-growing regions.

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