General

Bobolink: Small, lark-like blackbird, black underparts, wings, tail, and face. Buff nape, white to gray back and rump, and white wing patches. Tertials and wing coverts are lined with buff. Tail feathers are sharply pointed. Legs and feet are gray. Female is pale yellow with brown streaks and dark crown stripes. Winter adult is similar to female but with stronger yellow hue. Eats caterpillars, insects, seeds and grains. Strong undulating flight.

Range and Habitat

Bobolink: Breeds from southern British Columbia across southern Canada to Nova Scotia and south to eastern Oregon, central Colorado, central Illinois, western Virginia, and western North Carolina. Spends winters in southern South America. Preferred habitats include prairies and meadows; stays on marshes during migration.

Breeding and Nesting

Bobolink: Four to seven white eggs blotched with brown, purple, and lavender are laid in a cup of grass lined with fine plant materials. Nest is built in a ground depression covered with tall vegetation. Female incubates eggs for about 13 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Bobolink: In summer, eats insects and seeds; in winter mostly seeds; forages on the ground and in low vegetation.

Vocalization

Bobolink: Male sings a bright bubbly song while in flight, starting with low reedy notes and rollicking upward "bob-o-link, bob-o-link, pink, pink, pank, pink." Call is clear "pink."

Similar Species

Bobolink: Lark Bunting lacks white patch on back, and has black nape and rump.