Bobolink Photo Gallery
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, 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.
© 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, 2001Not all videos have soundFemale/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, 2001Not all videos have soundBreeding 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, 2013Not all videos have soundHabitat
Found in tall grasslands, uncut pastures, overgrown fields, meadows, and prairies.
© Sean McElaney / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 17, 2020Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Icteridae)
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