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(Redirected from Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Male in breeding plumage
Photo © by Glen Tepke
Marshfield, Massachusetts, USA, May 2004
Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Identification

16-18 cm.
Male - mostly black, cream napes, white scapulars, lower backs and rumps.
Female - mostly light brown, black streaks on back and flanks, dark stripes on the head, dark wings and tails.

Similar Species

Photo © by Oppie
May 2009

Female and non-breeding male resemble a female House Sparrow, though yellower.

Distribution

Breeds northern United States and southern Canada west to eastern British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.

In migration found throughout the south-eastern United States.
Rare to casual vagrant on the south-western United States. Accidental vagrant north of range.
Winters in Central and South America.

Rare autumn visitor to Europe.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1].

Two subspecies are recognised by some authors: Dolichonyx oryzivorus oryzivorus and Dolichonyx oryzivorus albinucha[2]

Juvenile
Photo by PanamaHarpy
La Mesa-El Valle, Panama, May 2011

Habitat

Farmland, large hay and stubble fields; meadows, marshes and prairie. Perches in reeds and bushes.

Behaviour

Breeding

They build a cup shaped nest on the ground, hidden in vegetation, and 5-6 eggs are laid.

Diet

The diet includes seeds and insects.

Vocalisation

Call: a metallic pink.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Avibase
  3. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  4. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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