# Bobolink (*Dolichonyx oryzivorus*) The Bobolink is a small, colorful bird known for its cheerful song. It has a black back and a white belly, making it easy to spot in fields and meadows during the summer. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 27 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Bobolink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bobolink_%28female%29_%285005682834%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike's Birds, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bobolink_%28female%29_%285005682834%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Bobolink is a medium-sized songbird, famous for the breeding male's striking black body, white wing patches, and a bright yellow nape. Females and non-breeding males are streaky brown, resembling large sparrows, with a distinctive pointed tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Dolichonyx ## Interesting facts - Bobolinks were once called 'skunk birds' due to the white markings on their black backs! - During migration, Bobolinks can gather in huge flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands! - Male Bobolinks sing so much that their throat muscles can swell during breeding season! - Their scientific name 'oryzivorus' means 'rice eating', referring to their diet in winter. ## Special abilities - **Magnetic Compass:** Bobolinks can navigate using Earth's magnetic field because it helps them find their way across vast distances during migration. - **Singing Flight:** Bobolinks have a bubbly, complex song that they often sing while in flight, which helps them attract mates and defend territory. - **Camouflage Cloak:** Bobolinks can change their plumage dramatically, losing their bright breeding colors to blend seamlessly into grassy winter habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-32 cm - **Weight:** 0.028-0.056 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 10-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding Bobolinks eat insects in summer and switch to seeds and grains for energy during migration. - **Age differences:** Young birds eat mostly insects for rapid growth, while adults consume more seeds seasonally. - **Primary Foods:** Grasshoppers, Caterpillars, Beetles, Grass Seeds, Oats, Rice - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Differential Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/differential-grasshopper) (*Melanoplus differentialis*) — A key insect prey for adults and young Bobolinks. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common aerial predator of adult Bobolinks. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Preys on Bobolink eggs and nestlings from ground nests. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Bobolinks forage on cultivated grains, especially during migration. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a bird's nest, be sure to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bobolink? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bobolink? 16-18 cm ### What is Bobolink's wingspan? 25-32 cm ### How much does Bobolink weigh? 0.028-0.056 kg ### How long does Bobolink live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Bobolink move? 60 km/h ### What does Bobolink eat? Bobolinks eat insects in summer and switch to seeds and grains for energy during migration. ### Where is Bobolink usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Bartholomew's Cobble](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bartholomews-cobble) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Berkshire Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berkshire-botanical-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drumlin-farm-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Fox Chase Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fox-chase-farm) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Kennebunkport Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kennebunkport-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/midewin-national-tallgrass-prairie) — Illinois, US · Forest [View all places to see Bobolink](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bobolink) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bobolink: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bobolink)