Bobolink

Bobolinks are grassland birds related to blackbirds. They breed in the northern US and southern Canada. They are long distance migrators that winter in the pampas of south central South America. They nest in hayfields and meadows so haying and mowing is a serious threat. I photographed these birds at a farm that was acquired by the town of Amesbury Massachusetts to retain as open land. The grass is harvested but the mowing is delayed until the nesting season is over. This gives the Bobolinks a chance to raise their young.

The males are black with a big yellow patch on the back of the head and some white on the wings. They generally stay down in the deep grass but will fly about to maintain their territory. They have a metallic, bubbly song. Some people are reminded of the droid R2-D2 in Star Wars. They eat seeds and insects.

The females look nothing like the males other than a similar shape and bill. Their coloration is adapted to help them stay inconspicuous on their nests in the grasses.

Loss of habitat is the greatest threat for these birds. Late mowing of open fields and maintenance of more open prairie areas are among the steps being undertaken to help them out.