Breeding male - ML306331051 — Breeding male © Ryan Sanderson eBird S71080560 Macaulay Library ML 250241071

Female/nonbreeding male - ML306331411 — Female/nonbreeding male © Nicole Desnoyers

Breeding male - ML67379731 — Breeding male © Marlene Cashen

Breeding male - ML306331101 — Breeding male © Brad Imhoff

Female/nonbreeding male - ML67379751 — Female/nonbreeding male © Shawn Billerman

Female/nonbreeding male - ML67379781 — Female/nonbreeding male © Juan D Astorga

Female/nonbreeding male - ML306331381 — Female/nonbreeding male © Jonathan Irons

Breeding male - ML67379761 — Breeding male © Charlie Shields

Habitat - ML306331301 — Habitat © Sean McElaney

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus

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Identification

Breeding male is distinctive with black body, white rump, and creamy nape. Females and nonbreeders are drastically different, yellow-brown with fine streaking on breast sides, and stripes on head. Smaller than Red-winged Blackbird with shorter bill. Spiky tail feathers. In the blackbird family, although often mistaken as a sparrow. Breeds in open fields. Listen for male's bubbly song. Often in flocks during fall migration; departs early for wintering grounds in South America.