Bobolink: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:15, 28 July 2021

Revision as of 23:20, 9 October 2021

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'''Measurements''':<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bobolink Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology|url=https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id|access-date=2020-09-30|website=www.allaboutbirds.org|language=en}}</ref>

* '''Length''': {{convert|5.9|-|8.3 |in (15-21 |cm)|abbr=on}}

* '''Weight''': {{convert|1.0|-|2.0 |oz (29-56 |g)|abbr=on}}

* '''Wingspan''': {{convert|10.6 |in (27 |cm)}}

Adults have short [[finch]]-like bills. Adult males are mostly black with creamy napes and white scapulars, lower backs, and rumps. Adult females and non-breeding males are mostly light brown, although their coloring includes black streaks on the back and flanks, and dark stripes on the head; their wings and tails are darker. The collective name for a group of bobolinks is a ''chain''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/collectives.htm |title=Collective nouns, groups of animals, terms for animal and other groups including birds |publisher=Hintsandthings.co.uk |date=1980-04-28 |access-date=2013-05-26}}</ref>

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==Distribution and movements==

The bobolink breeds in the summer in North America across much of southern Canada and the northern United States;<ref name=eol/> from 1966- to 2015 the species experienced a greater than 1.5% annual population decrease throughout most of its breeding range, extending from the [[Midwestern United States]] to [[The Maritimes| the Canadian maritimes]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus BBS Trend Map, 1966 - 2015 |url=https://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/tr2015/trend2015_v3.html |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=2020-12-15}}</ref> The boblink [[bird migration|migrates]] long distances, wintering in southern South America.<ref name=eol>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Bobolink – Dolichonyx oryzivorus – Overview | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Life | url=http://eol.org/pages/1051993/overview | access-date=14 December 2013 }}</ref> One bird was tracked migrating {{convert|12000|mi|km|abbr=on}} over the course of the year, often flying long distances up to {{convert|1100|mi|km|abbr=on}} in a single day, then stopping to recuperate for days or weeks.<ref name=Page2011>{{cite news | title=Vermont scientists paint detailed picture of bobolink migration | work=Burlington Free Press | publisher=Gannett | date=1 April 2011 | last=Page | first=Candace | url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100625/NEWS02/104010006/ | archive-url=https://archive.is/20131214102950/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100625/NEWS02/104010006/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 December 2013 | access-date=14 December 2013 }}</ref>

Bobolinks often migrate in flocks, feeding on cultivated grains and [[rice]], which leads to them being considered a pest by farmers in some areas. Although bobolinks migrate long distances, they have rarely been sighted in [[Europe]]—like many vagrants from the Americas, the majority of records are from the [[British Isles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobolink in Lincolnshire |url=https://www.birdguides.com/sightings/dolichonyx-oryzivorus/3400637# |website=BirdGuides |publisher=Warners Group Publications Plc |access-date=2020-12-15}}</ref>