The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a plump, medium-sized bird with a short tail featuring pointed tips on its rectrices. Belonging to the same family as blackbirds and orioles, it stands out as the only American species with black underparts and white patches on its back. During the breeding season, the male undergoes a stunning transformation, displaying a black plumage with a creamy-buff nape and striking white scapulars and rump patch. Its wings are pointed, and the tail feathers boast spiked tips. A buff stripping runs along its back with buff edges on the tertials. The face is entirely black, and the bill is short and conical. In contrast, its eyes are brown, and the legs and feet are dark flesh, featuring a long nail on the hind-toe. During spring migration, males exhibit pale edging on their black plumage.
The female closely resembles the non-breeding male, with duller plumage and a browner head, complemented by a whitish line in the center of the crown and above the eye. Juveniles have a yellower appearance.
The non-breeding male sports yellow-buff underparts with black streaks on its flanks, back, and undertail coverts. The tail and wings are brownish, and its head is adorned with a black crown separated by a yellowish line, with a fine black line extending behind the eye. The bill of the non-breeding male is pale.
Adult Bobolinks experience two complete molts per year, one in late summer-early autumn and another in late winter-early spring. During the fresh plumage, both males and females showcase a brighter buff color on their heads and bodies. In contrast, their worn plumage renders them whitish on the sides of their faces and throats.
Bobolinks breed in the summer across much of southern Canada and the northern United States. They can be found in a wide range of environments, including forests, river margins, farmlands, lakes, estuaries, and rocky coastlines—essentially, anywhere with water or open country with adjacent elevated perches.
The Bobolink breeds in open and semi-open grassy areas and migrates over approximately 20,000 km from its breeding to wintering areas. It feeds on insects, seeds from weeds, and forages while walking on the ground. In the past, it was listed as an agricultural pest in some regions of the United States due to its large flocks damaging rice fields. However, it is now protected in North America.
Bobolinks nest in hayfields and meadows during the spring, and the female lays 3 to 7 bluish-grey to pale reddish-brown eggs, heavily spotted with dark. Both parents incubate the eggs, and the male helps brood and feed the young of its primary mate. The nesting behavior of Bobolinks is fascinating, as more than two adults can feed the young at a single nest. These “helpers” can be either males or females and may be offspring from the previous year of one or both of the other adults or adults that lost their brood and need to feed young.
The Bobolink’s usual call is a clear, low, liquid “pink” given in flight, which is often repeated. It also produces a harsh “chek” call. Its song is a loud bubbling and rolling series of notes, ranging from deep to high and thin, resembling “bobolink-bobolink-bobolink.” These melodious notes are often sung during fluttering song flights and can also be heard when the bird is perched on a bush or clinging to the top of a tall weed.
Unfortunately, Bobolink populations are declining due to habitat loss caused by the clearing of woodlands, changes in agricultural practices, and modernizing farmland techniques. The species is currently considered beneficial to agriculture in North America but is regarded as an agricultural pest in South America, especially damaging rice fields during large flock feeding. Additionally, it faces threats from being trapped as cage birds and being hunted as human food.
Conservation efforts and awareness are crucial to safeguard the Bobolink and its unique beauty for future generations to marvel at. Let us work together to protect its natural habitats and create a world where this magnificent bird can continue to thrive in harmony with nature.
