Overview

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.

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.

Breeding and 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.

Foraging and Feeding

Dickcissel: Feeds on seeds, grass, and insects; younger birds consume more insects.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Dickcissel: Sings "dick-dick-cissel", with the first two notes sharp and the third buzzing, repeated over and over from a conspicuous perch on a fence or in a tree. Call is a distinctive buzzing note often given in flight.

Similar Species

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