Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5B - Secure Breeding SNRB - Unranked Breeding |
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| Minnesota | not listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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Size |
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6″ to 8″ in length 11½″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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A bubly, metalic song with 25 to 50 notes lasting about 3½ seconds. |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Open grasslands |
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Ecology |
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Migration |
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Late April to early October |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Common migrant and breeder |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Passeriformes (perching birds) | ||
Family |
Icteridae (New World blackbirds and orioles) | ||
Genus |
Dolichonyx (bobolinks) | ||
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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Dan W. Andree |
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Bobolink balancing on a branch in the wind.... It first had both feet clamped on the left side branch but the wind was brisk and made it sway so much it decided to put one on each side to help balance itself while it perched briefly. Taken at a Prairie Preserve in Norman col Mn. June 2020. It would flick its wings at times and tail feathers to balance itself while the wind blew. Interesting color markings. Bobolinks make nice sounds and nice birds. |
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Lynn Rubey |
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| Breeding male Bobolink the only North American bird to have a white back and black under parts, he flew up to the grass sang for a few minutes looking around then flew back down to the ground in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. |  |
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| Breeding Male Bobolink in this photo the straw colored patch on back of the head is clearly visible, as he balanced himself on some dried native prairie grass in The Big Stone National Wildlife refuge. |  |
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| A female or non-breeding male Bobolink in the native prairie fields of The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. |  |
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A breeding male Bobolink in flight along the Minnesota River. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Bobolink Allen Chartier |
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| Bobolink JMC Nature Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Bobolink The Music of Nature |
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About
The Music of Nature This video celebrates the amazing song of the Bobolink, described by one author as "a mad, wreckless song fantasia—an outbreak of pentup irrepressible glee," and by another as "a bubbling delirium of ecstatic music that flows from the gifted throat of the bird like sparkling champagne." The Bobolink is a member of the Blackbird family. It frequents grassy meadows of the northern states and adjacent Canada. Also referred to as "skunk blackbird," the male has striking black-and-white plumage, making identification easy. Females are a buffy yellow-brown. © 2010 Lang Elliott & Bob McGuire |
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| Bobolink-Richland, OR-060311.mp4 Christopher Christie |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 7, 2011 Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnaeus, 1758). The Breeding range of Bobolinks extends into eastern Oregon, including Baker County. This bird was one of perhaps three males hopefully Breeding in a hay field of Timothy in Richland, OR, on June 3rd, 2011. According to ODFW (Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife), "due to land use change and other factors, this grassland bird species is declining in Oregon." I can tell you that it is not very often seen in any event, but it is also sometimes observed here in the Baker Valley. |
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| Bobolink Portrait ebirdr |
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About
Published on Jun 9, 2012 The Bobolink is fairly common.It can be found in hayfields, weedy meadows and in migration, marshes. The male is a distinctive bird. It is completely black below, mostly white above. The hindneck is buff but fades to white near the end of summer. The female is a rich buffy sparrow-like bird with dark stripes on crown, back, and sides. Note the sharply pointed tail feathers. The song is a bubbling "banjo-like" tune given in hovering flight. The flight call is a soft "ink". |
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| Bobolink in Maine WIld Bird Video Productions |
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About
Published on Jun 11, 2012 This male Bobolink was defending his patch of pasture against two other males.Their song makes quite an impression for sure! The Bobolinks and other grassland birds coexist with grass fed cattle on this farm. © 2012 Garth McElroy. www.wildbirdvideos.com License at http://www.paya.com/videos/139303 |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this bird. |
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| Dan W. Andree June 2020 |
Location: Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Pavia Unit, Norman Co. Mn. It first had both feet clamped on the left side branch but the wind was brisk and made it sway so much it decided to put one on each side to help balance itself while it perched briefly. Taken at a Prairie Preserve in Norman col Mn. June 2020. It would flick its wings at times and tail feathers to balance itself while the wind blew. Interesting color markings. Bobolinks make nice sounds and nice birds. |
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| Dave Zelinsky 5/20/2020 |
Location: Carver Park Preserve, Victoria, MN |
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| Lynn Rubey 5/23/2019 |
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge A breeding male Bobolink in flight along the Minnesota River. |
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| Karen T. 5/15/2019 |
Location: Saint Francis, MN |
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| David Ayer 7/11/2012 |
Location: Joseph A. Tauer Prairie SNA |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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