Bobolink
The Bobolink is one of the most visually striking passerines in North America. Males—conspicuous morphologically, behaviorally, and vocally during the breeding season—look like they are wearing a tuxedo backward, leading some observers to refer to this species as the “skunk blackbird.” Male Bobolinks sing a long, bubbly song, often while flying low over their territories in a characteristic, helicopter-like flight. This sight was certainly the inspiration for the insightful, amusing, and onomatopoeic poem “Robert of Lincoln,” written by the nineteenth-century American poet William Cullen Bryant.
The Bobolink is polygynous and was one of the first species in which multiple paternity (females laying a clutch of eggs sired by more than one male) was documented. In addition, this North American breeder is an extraordinary migrant, traveling to south of the equator each autumn and making a
round-trip of approximately 20,000 kilometers. One female known to be at least nine years old presumably made this trip annually, a total distance equal to traveling 4.5 times around the earth at the equator! Why these birds make such an arduous journey each year is not as well understood as how they do it; the mechanisms of orientation and navigation in this species have been rigorously studied by several investigators. Magnetic clues appear to be particularly important for migrating Bobolinks.
Bobolinks have been shot as agricultural pests in the southern United States, trapped and sold as pets in Argentina, and collected as food in Jamaica. The species is not as abundant as it was several decades ago, primarily because of changing land-use practices, especially the decline of meadows and hay fields. The Bobolink’s tenacity and adaptability, however, should continue to serve it well.
Recommended "BIRDING BINOCULARES" & Products
![]() |
![]() Hensoldt Zeiss 8x30 binoculars german army TOP US $169.00
|
![]() folding pocket binoculars for sports birding theater US $1.29
|
![]() NEW CAMO ARMY High Power 22x32 Compact Binoculars Portable Telescope US $34.50
|
![]() Magnification Binoculars view nature sporting events concerts and more US $12.99
|
![]() TELE POWER LENS SPORTS BINOCULARS 7 X 40MM US $1.99
|
![]() SE Binoculars US $4.99
|
![]() Burris 10x Long Eye Relief Binoculars US $84.99
|
![]() Swarovski 8x32 EL Binoculars 32008 New US $1,599.99
|
![]() VIintage Dolland Co Cased Binoculars US $15.86
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Recommended Bird Watching SCOPES
![]() |
Sonic Super Ear Personal Sound Amplifier Sale Price: $29.95 Used From: $26.07 |
|
Buy the Sonic Super Ear from ActiveForever to improve your listening experience. ActiveForever found the Sonic Super Ear which is like binoculars for your ears. Whether you are experiencing mild to moderate hear loss, or simply want to have the ability to hear the sounds around you more clearly, the Sonic Super Ear will improve your listening experience... |
![]() |
Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars List Price: $105.95 Sale Price: $51.99 Used From: $39.32 |
|
Super high-powered surveillance binoculars for long-range detailed viewing. Great durability and performance in an attractive ?traditional? porro prism design. Non-slip rubber armor absorbs shock while providing a firm grip... |
![]() |
Pentax 62216 Papilio 8.5x21 Porro Prism Binocular List Price: $200.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $86.44 |
|
Named for the Latin word for butterfly, PENTAX Papilio 8.5x21 binoculars are the perfect choice for insect observation in the field and in museums and galleries. The enhanced observation capability of the Papilio binoculars is made possible by a PENTAX Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering (CLOSE) mechanism... |
![]() |
Nikon 7238 Action Ex Extreme 8 X 40 mm All Terrain Binoculars List Price: $218.95 Sale Price: $119.50 |
|
Key Features:Aspherical lenses eliminate virtually all distortion _ Quick, smooth central focusing _ Tripod adaptable (with Product #7650) _ Diopter control to regulate vision imbalance _ BaK4 high index prisms _ Precision aligned sharp multicoated optics for bright, clear images _ Standard-size armored bodyThe new Nikon Action Extreme" binoculars feature an all-metal chassis with lens fittings housed in a tough, lightweight polycarbonate body shell... |




US $8.00




























