Tag Archives: Bobolink

It is that time of the year and I thought I would check to see if the Bobolinks are back at Retzer Nature Center. There were about 9 of them, they were giving nice views from a distance. Males were chasing around some females. These are interesting birds to follow as they move to different spots, the males calling to the females. There is no sense in trying to figure out where they will land next. I stood at one location and they once in a while landed near me for a couple of photos. Always fun to watch these birds. It was a sunny day with mild temps around  70 degrees. Images were taken on May 22, 2023.

Bobolink, male calling to a female…

Bobolink, male in flight…

Bobolink, female…

Bobolink, female calling to a male…

A little of something here…birds displaying…

Bobolink, male perched on the old wildflower cane from last year…

Bobolink, female at takeoff…

Bobolink, female perched and looking for a male…

Another in flight…

And another in flight, this male…

Calling and waiting for a female…

It was that time of the year and I thought I would check to see if the Bobolinks are back at Retzer Nature Center. They were giving nice views from a distance. Males were chasing around some females. These are interesting birds to follow as they move to different spots, the males calling to the females. There is no sense in trying to figure out where they will land next. I stood at one location and they once in a while landed near me for a couple of photos. I think I saw 5 of them, 3 males and 2 females. Always fun to watch these birds. It was a cloudy day with some good breezes at times, making it seem tough for these birds to hang on to lanky old flower stalks from last year’s wildflowers, but I’m sure they are used to it. Temps around 70 degrees. Images were taken on May 31, 2022.

The male Bobolink calling to the female a ways away…

In between calling…

The female Bobolink perched in some old Yellow Coneflower stalks from last years wildflowers looking at the male…

The female perched a distance from a male…

From a distance the male hangs on tight calling…

The female…

The male hanging on with a good wind…

A look back for a female…

Flying by…

Female just trying to hang on…

Male calling…

A stop at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha provided nice views of male Bobolinks. I only saw females a couple of times going to nests on the ground I would think. I stayed at a distance not to disturb the areas where they are possibly nesting. It did not appear they were feeding young as of yet. It was a warm muggy morning to start with temps in the 70’s. Images were taken on June 7, 2021.

Bobolink, male calling…

In some of the habitat they are found in…

Coming in to land on an old wildflower stalk…

In some of its habitat these birds hang out in of old wildflowers and grass canes, hanging on with the wind blowing…

Just perched pretty…

What they do…

I made the annual early June stop at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha to see if any Bobolinks were around. There were at least 10 males and some females present, I really did not do a count. They flew to many field locations and gave nice views flying and perching near me at times. Nice to see them there. No sign of Dickcissels which I had hoped to see there too. It was a warm sunny morning with little winds, I was hot standing out on a trail there. Images were taken on June 7, 2018.

Bobolink, male

Bobolink

Binomial name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Category: Blackbirds

Size: 7” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 1.50 oz

Notes: A male Bobolink may have more than one mate. A well known birder in Wisconsin had called this bird a “skunk blackbird” because of the whitish stripe down the back of the head.

Bobolink, female

Bobolinks, male left, female right…

In flight and calling…

Bobolink, female perched with Golden Alexanders

Bobolink, male

In flight and calling…

Bobolink, female at takeoff…

Bobolink, female

Bobolink, female, just hanging on…

Bobolinks, female left, male right…

Bobolink, female

Bobolink, female looking…

Bobolink, male in the stalks which they typically perch in…

In coming…

Out birding this morning in Waukesha County I came across some Bobolinks. There were 2 males and 2 females in an area where I assumed they were nesting. I took a few shots to share and left the area. It was a sunny morning with cool temps with some clouds moving in. Images were taken on June 19, 2017.

Bobolink, male calling

Bobolink

Binomial name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Category: Blackbirds

Size: 7” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 1.50 oz

Notes: A male Bobolink may have more than one mate. A well known birder in Wisconsin had called this bird a “skunk blackbird” because of the whitish stripe down the back of the head.

Bobolink, male preening

Bobolink, female keeping an eye on the nesting area

Bobolink, female keeping the balance…

Bobolink, male in the grass as we see them…

Bobolink, male just sitting pretty

Female watching the nest from a distance…

Bobolink, the female in flight…

Both sexes here…

Calling….displaying…

Distant shot of caterpillars in the bill…

The balancing act

On the lookout

Over looking the nesting area…