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Bobolink

Dolichonyx oryzivorusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
Bobolink Breeding Adult Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Cone
  • Eye Color: Brown to black-brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Unique pattern
  • Crown Color: Black
  • Forehead Color: Black
  • Nape Color: Buff
  • Throat Color: Black
  • Cere color: No Data
Bobolink Breeding Adult Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 16-20 cm (6.25-8 in)
  • Weight: 48 g (1.7 oz)
  • Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color Primary: White, Black
  • Underparts: Black
  • Upperparts: Black back with narrow buff stripes, white scapulars and rump.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked, Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Bobolink Breeding Adult Flight Illistration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Strong undeviating and slightly undulating flight on rapidly beating wings.
  • Wingspan Range: 26-32 cm (10.25-12.5 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg Color: Black
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Family
Species Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Length6.25 - 8 Inches
Wingspan11.375 Inches

Bobolink

Bobolink: Small, lark-like blackbird, all-black except for buff nape, white rump, and white wing patches. Tertials and wing coverts are lined with buff. Tail feathers are sharply pointed. Legs and feet are gray. Eats caterpillars, insects, seeds and grains. Strong undulating flight.

● Song: "bob-o-link, bob-o-link, pink, pink, pank, pink"

● Foraging & Feeding: Bobolink: In summer, eats insects and seeds; in winter mostly seeds; forages on the ground and in low vegetation.

● Breeding & nesting: Bobolink: Four to seven white eggs blotched with brown, purple, and lavender are laid in a cup of grass lined with fine plant materials. Nest is built in a ground depression covered with tall vegetation. Female incubates eggs for about 13 days.

● Similar species: Bobolink: Lark Bunting has yellow nape, white rump, and lacks a white wing patch. Female Bobolink is similar to Grasshopper Sparrow but is larger and has streaked flanks.

Flight Pattern

Strong undeviating and slightly undulating flight on rapidly beating wings.
Bobolink Breeding Adult Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Bobolink: Breeds from southern British Columbia across southern Canada to Nova Scotia and south to eastern Oregon, central Colorado, central Illinois, western Virginia, and western North Carolina. Spends winters in southern South America. Preferred habitats include prairies and meadows; stays on marshes during migration.
BreedingPolygamous
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.7 Ounces