Bobolink
Breeding male
Sparrowlike bird related to blackbirds with a large flat head, a short neck, and a short tail. Breeding males are black below and black and white above with a yellowish patch on the back of the head.
© Douglas Gimler | Macaulay LibraryVermont, May 27, 2017Female/nonbreeding male
Medium-sized songbird with a pointed bill, flat head, and short tail. Females/nonbreeding birds are warm brown below with streaking on the flanks. Note pinkish bill, unstreaked nape, and dark eyeline.
© Shawn Billerman | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 10, 2017Breeding male
Males sing from perches just above the tops of the grass, or during display flights. Song is bubbly and rambling, with a mixture of sharp high notes and buzzy low pitches.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 16, 2015Not all videos have soundBreeding male
Long-bodied with a short tail and flat head. From behind breeding males have a white rump, white shoulders, and a yellowish patch on the back of the head.
© Marlene Cashen | Macaulay LibraryWashington, June 11, 2017Breeding male
Rather big headed and short necked. Breeding males are entirely black below with a straw colored patch on the back of the head.
© Brendan Klick | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 28, 2017Breeding male
Males sing while flying low over fields with exaggerated, fluttery wingbeats.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, May 01, 2001Not all videos have soundFemale/nonbreeding male
Females/nonbreeding males have bold buffy and brown streaks down the back, but have an unstreaked nape. Note dark eyeline and brown stripes on the crown.
© Juan D Astorga | Macaulay LibraryAlajuela, October 18, 2016Breeding male
In spring, male Bobolinks give conspicuous display flights low over grasslands, fluttering their wings while singing. Note white rump in flight.
© Charles Shields | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 30, 2017Female/nonbreeding male
Females and nonbreeders are buffy with bold dark streaks and strong dark stripes on the crown and through the eye.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2001Not all videos have soundHabitat
Found in tall grasslands, uncut pastures, overgrown fields, meadows, and prairies.
© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 09, 2011Female/nonbreeding male
Somewhat sparrowlike in appearance, but note overall warm buffy tone, dark streaks, and bigger bill than sparrows.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 11, 2013Not all videos have sound