Perch Supply
Blackbirds (Icteridae)

Bobolink

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Insects and grass seeds from hayfields.

Blackbirds (Icteridae)BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorus
Scientific name
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Length
5.9–8.3 in
Weight
1–2 oz
Nest
Grass cup on the ground in a hayfield or meadow
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
1–7 eggs
Incubation
11–14 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Breeding male black below with a white back and buffy nape
  • Female and winter birds streaked straw-buff
  • Sharp, pointed tail feathers

Voice

A bubbling, banjo-like jumble delivered in flight.

Diet and feeding

Insects and grass seeds from hayfields.

What do bobolinks eat? · Best feeder for bobolinks

Bobolinks by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlbertaSummer breederJune–July
British ColumbiaSummer breederJune–July
ColoradoSummer breederMay–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
IdahoSummer breederMay–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KansasSummer breederMay–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
MontanaSummer breederJune–July
NebraskaSummer breederMay–July
NevadaSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederJune–July
North DakotaSummer breederJune–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OklahomaSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
OregonSummer breederMay–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederJune–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
SaskatchewanSummer breederJune–July
South DakotaSummer breederMay–July
UtahSummer breederMay–July
VermontSummer breederJune–July
WashingtonSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July
WyomingSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do bobolinks eat?

Insects and grass seeds from hayfields. At feeders: none — unmowed hayfields are the habitat.

How big is a Bobolink?

5.9–8.3 in long and 1–2 oz.

Do bobolinks use birdhouses?

No. Grass cup on the ground in a hayfield or meadow.

Sources

  1. Bobolink — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Bobolink life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Bobolink — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.