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Dickcissel

Spiza americanaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Cardinals and Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae)

Dickcissel Portrait
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General

Dickcissel: Medium-sized, stocky, sparrow-like bird with dark gray back and head, and black-streaked shoulders. Face is gray with yellow eyestripe and breast is yellow. V-shaped bib is black. Wings are brown with chestnut-brown patches. Female and winter adult have brown upperparts and no black bib. Juvenile is brown and streaked.

Range and Habitat

Dickcissel: Breeds from eastern Montana and the Great Lakes region south to Texas and the Gulf coast, locally farther east. Spends winters mainly in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open country in grain or hay fields and in weed patches.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"dick-dick-dick-cissel"

Interesting Facts

  • Migratory flocks of Dickcissels assemble into larger and larger flocks gradually growing into thousands of birds. Winter roosts can number in the millions of birds.
  • The male does little other than feed himself and try to attract a mate. The female builds the nest, incubates and feeds the young.


Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Dickcissel
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Family
Species Spiza americana
Length6 - 7 Inches
Wingspan10 Inches

Dickcissel

Dickcissel: Medium, stocky, sparrow-like bird with dark gray back, head, and black-streaked shoulders. Gray face, yellow eyestripe and breast. V-shaped bib is black and underparts are white. Wings are brown. Feeds on grains, seeds and insects. Alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.

● Song: "dick-dick-dick-cissel"

● Foraging & Feeding: Dickcissel: Feeds on seeds, grass, and insects; younger birds consume more insects.

● Breeding & nesting: Dickcissel: Three to five pale blue eggs are laid in a cup of plant stems and grass set on or near the ground, usually in a field. Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Dickcissel: Meadowlarks are larger and have longer, thinner bills. Female Dickcissel has larger, paler bill than female House Sparrow.

Flight Pattern

Rapidly beating wings.
Dickcissel Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Dickcissel: Breeds from eastern Montana and the Great Lakes region south to Texas and the Gulf coast, locally farther east. Spends winters mainly in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open country in grain or hay fields and in weed patches.
BreedingPolygamous
PopulationCommon to abundant
MigrationMigratory
Weight1 Ounces