Bobolink Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBobolink
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.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, July 03, 2020Breeding 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, 2015Breeding 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.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, April 28, 2020Breeding male
Males sing while flying low over fields with exaggerated, fluttery wingbeats.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, May 01, 2001Female/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, 2017Female/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, 2016Female/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, 2001Breeding male
In spring, male Bobolinks give conspicuous display flights low over grasslands, fluttering their wings while singing. Note white rump in flight.
© Charlie Shields / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 30, 2017Female/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, 2013Habitat
Found in tall grasslands, uncut pastures, overgrown fields, meadows, and prairies.
© Sean McElaney / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 17, 2020Similar SpeciesLark Bunting
Breeding male
Breeding male Lark Buntings have large white patches on the wing but not on the back or rump like breeding male Bobolinks.
© Doug Hitchcox / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 29, 2015Similar SpeciesLark Bunting
Nonbreeding male
Nonbreeding male Lark Buntings have dark streaking down the belly and are darker overall than female/nonbreeding Bobolinks, which have unstreaked bellies. Also note white wing patch on Buntings, but not on female/nonbreeding Bobolinks.
© Steve Collins / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 25, 2010Similar SpeciesLark Bunting
Female/immature
Female/immature Lark Buntings have streaked bellies while female/nonbreeding Bobolinks have streaked backs. They also have thicker bills than Bobolinks.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 19, 2011Similar SpeciesRed-winged Blackbird
Breeding male (Red-winged)
Breeding male Red-winged Blackbirds are entirely black except for the red and yellow shoulder patches unlike male Bobolinks, which are black and white overall.
© Phil Kahler / Macaulay LibraryOregon, May 13, 2017Similar SpeciesRed-winged Blackbird
Female (Red-winged)
Female Red-winged Blackbirds are darker overall and more heavily streaked throughout than female/nonbreeding Bobolinks.
© David Trescak / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 05, 2017Similar SpeciesGrasshopper Sparrow
Adult
Grasshopper Sparrows have more complicated head patterns, with streaks on the back of the neck instead of the Bobolink’s smooth, buffy head.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, June 08, 2011Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Icteridae)
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