bobolink

The bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a small migratory songbird in the family Icteridae. It breeds in North America and winters in tropical South America, making one of the longest migrations of any North American passerine.

In breeding plumage the male is largely black with bold white patches on the back and wings, giving a striking, piebald appearance. The female and non-breeding adults are brown-streaked with a pale supercilium. Juveniles resemble the females. The bobolink is a compact bird with a short bill and a short tail, and it is noted for its rapid, bubbly song during the breeding season.

Habitat and behavior include nesting on or near the ground in open fields, tall grasses, or hayfields. The nest is a cup built low in grass, and the female incubates the eggs while both parents feed the young. Clutch size is typically 4–6 eggs. The species forages mainly on the ground or in low vegetation, feeding on insects during the breeding season and shifting to seeds, grains, and weed seeds at other times.

Migration is long distance and cyclical, with spring and fall movements linking breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to wintering areas in northern South America, including parts of the Amazon basin. Arrival in breeding areas occurs in late spring, with departure southward beginning in late summer to early autumn.

Conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though the population is believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and changes in field management that reduce suitable grassland habitats. Preservation of tall-grass and hayfield habitats is important for ongoing viability.