Bobolink

Bobolink

The bobolink is a small New World blackbird and the only member of the genus Dolichonyx. An old name for this species is the "Rice Bird", from its tendency to feed on cultivated grains. The name "Bobolink" is derived from Bob o' Lincoln, describing its call. Adults are 16–18 cm long with short finch-like bills and weigh about 1 oz. Adult males are mostly black with creamy napes and white scapulars, lower backs, and rumps. Adult females are mostly light brown with black streaks on the back and flanks, and dark stripes on the head; their wings and tails are darker. The bobolink breeds in the summer in North America and southern Canada, often wintering in South America. Considered a pest by some farmers, the numbers of these birds are declining and are a species at risk throughout Canada. These are birds of prairie and grasslands across the northern United States and southern Canada; they can also been found in uncut pastures, overgrown fields, and meadows during the breeding season. The handsome males wear a unique “backward tuxedo” during breeding and sing while performing conspicuous flight displays. After breeding, Bobolinks move to different habitats, such as marshes and coastal areas, to molt before starting their long journey south again. Wintering in the southern interior of South America, they're found in grasslands, marshes, and rice and sorghum fields.

Bobolink

Fluttering over meadows and hayfields in summer, the male Bobolink delivers a bubbling, tinkling song which, loosely interpreted, gives the species its name. The male is unmistakable in spring finery, but before fall migration he molts into a striped brown appearance like that of the female. Bobolinks in this plumage were once known as "ricebirds" in the South, where they occasionally used to cause serious damage in the ricefields.

Bobolink

Fluttering over meadows and hayfields in summer, the male Bobolink delivers a bubbling, tinkling song which, loosely interpreted, gives the species its name. The male is unmistakable in spring finery, but before fall migration he molts into a striped brown appearance like that of the female. Bobolinks in this plumage were once known as "ricebirds" in the South, where they occasionally used to cause serious damage in the ricefields.

Bobolink

The bobolink is a small New World blackbird and the only member of the genus Dolichonyx. An old name for this species is the "Rice Bird", from its tendency to feed on cultivated grains. The name "Bobolink" is derived from Bob o' Lincoln, describing its call. Adults are 16–18 cm long with short finch-like bills and weigh about 1 oz. Adult males are mostly black with creamy napes and white scapulars, lower backs, and rumps. Adult females are mostly light brown with black streaks on the back and flanks, and dark stripes on the head; their wings and tails are darker. The bobolink breeds in the summer in North America and southern Canada, often wintering in South America. Considered a pest by some farmers, the numbers of these birds are declining and are a species at risk throughout Canada. These are birds of prairie and grasslands across the northern United States and southern Canada; they can also been found in uncut pastures, overgrown fields, and meadows during the breeding season. The handsome males wear a unique “backward tuxedo” during breeding and sing while performing conspicuous flight displays. After breeding, Bobolinks move to different habitats, such as marshes and coastal areas, to molt before starting their long journey south again. Wintering in the southern interior of South America, they're found in grasslands, marshes, and rice and sorghum fields.

Bobolink

Long-distance migrant. Bobolinks travel about 12,500 miles round-trip every year, in one of the longest migrations of any songbird in the New World. From their northern breeding grounds they fly in groups through Florida and across the Gulf of Mexico toward their wintering grounds in South America.

Bobolink

Long-distance migrant. Bobolinks travel about 12,500 miles round-trip every year, in one of the longest migrations of any songbird in the New World. From their northern breeding grounds they fly in groups through Florida and across the Gulf of Mexico toward their wintering grounds in South America.

Bobolink

Long-distance migrant. Bobolinks travel about 12,500 miles round-trip every year, in one of the longest migrations of any songbird in the New World. From their northern breeding grounds they fly in groups through Florida and across the Gulf of Mexico toward their wintering grounds in South America.

Bobolink

Long-distance migrant. Bobolinks travel about 12,500 miles round-trip every year, in one of the longest migrations of any songbird in the New World. From their northern breeding grounds they fly in groups through Florida and across the Gulf of Mexico toward their wintering grounds in South America.