Bobolink
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a common new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 44 countries, weighing about 31 g. The bobolink is a small New World blackbird and the only member of the genus Dolichonyx.
About the 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 during winter and migration. The bobolink breeds in the summer in the United States and Canada, with most of the summer range in the northern U.S. Bobolinks winter in southern South America, primarily Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. Bobolink numbers are rapidly declining due to factors such as agricultural intensification and habitat loss; they are considered threatened in Canada, and are at risk throughout their range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Measurements: Length: 5.9–8.3 in (15–21 cm) Weight: 1.0–2.0 oz (28–57 g) Wingspan: 10.6 inches (27 cm) Adults are 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) long with short finch-like bills and weigh about 28 g (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. Voice: Males have two song types, which they will sing both alone and together to make compound songs. Males sing both while perching and in flight, but compound songs are more likely during flight.
What the Bobolink sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Chile, Ireland, Martinique, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Spain.
When to see it
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bobolink?
- Measurements: Length: 5.9–8.3 in (15–21 cm) Weight: 1.0–2.0 oz (28–57 g) Wingspan: 10.6 inches (27 cm) Adults are 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) long with short finch-like bills and weigh about 28 g (1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Bobolink?
- The Bobolink is a small sized bird weighing about 31 g.
- Where can you see a Bobolink?
- The Bobolink occurs in 44 countries, including the United States, Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Colombia.
- What does a Bobolink sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Bobolink on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Bobolink?
- The Bobolink is most easily confused with the Yellow-headed Blackbird, the Yellow-breasted Chat and the Hooded Oriole.
- Is the Bobolink endangered?
- The Bobolink is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bobolink for real
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