Bird Guide

Bobolink vs Yellow-breasted Chat

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

Bobolink

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Small31 gGrassland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Peter Waycik · CC0
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

Small25 gForest

When considered part of the family Parulidae (New World warblers), the yellow-breasted chat was the largest species of parulid. In fact, it can often weigh more than twice as much as other parulid species. This species has a total length of 17 to 19.1 cm (6.7 to 7.5 in) and a wingspan of 23 to 27 cm (9.1 to 10.6 in). Body mass can range from 20.2 to 33.8 g (0.71 to 1.19 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 7.1 to 8.4 cm (2.8 to 3.3 in), the elongated tail is 6.9 to 8.6 cm (2.7 to 3.4 in), the relatively long, heavy bill is 1.3 to 1.6 cm (0.51 to 0.63 in), and the tarsus is 2.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: steve · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: tcantrell52 · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bobolink and Yellow-breasted Chat.