Bobolink
NDGF
L 7”, WS 11.5”, 1.5 oz. Males sport a black belly, white rump and back, white patch on wings, and yellow hind neck. The female is yellowish-buff overall.
Status in North Dakota
Occurs in North Dakota from early May to late September. Peak breeding season early June to late August.
Range Map
Bobolink primary (dark gray) breeding range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
At-risk, ND range important (SGCN b.).
ND ranks 1st out of 32 states for highest percent of the global population (19.32%) during the breeding season (eBird).
The Bobolink is declining, and the population decreased 60% since 1970.
ND has high stewardship responsibility for this species.
Threats
Loss of grassland, especially the loss of CRP.
Degradation of grasslands from invasive plants, woody encroachment, succession, and loss of diversity.
Loss of ranching heritage and grass-based operations, grazing is essential to grassland health and diversity.
Classified as climate-threatened, Bobolink is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2080, with potential net gains of new areas (Audubon).
Moderate to heavy Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism.
Direct and indirect impacts from energy development, Bobolinks exhibit displacement from areas within and surrounding wind turbines.
Research and Monitoring
Habitat requirements and effects of management practices such as grazing, burning and haying have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
Additional information is needed on migration and wintering behaviors.
The Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and Partners in Flight Databases are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
Management Recommendations
- Protect and conserve large, intact tracks of native prairie/unbroken grassland and tame grassland.
- Reconstruct or restore grassland adjacent to existing tracts of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Graze or hay expired CRP. The density of Bobolinks is 94% lower in CRP fields converted to cropland, but effects are less if expired CRP is converted to grazed grassland (-58%) or hayland (-32%).
- Promote well-managed grazing lands and working grasslands for biodiversity, sustainability, and resiliency.
- Prevent or remove shrubs and tall woody vegetation in grasslands, either mechanically or by prescribed fire.
- Delay mowing or haying until August 1. Provide hayland areas and mow as late as possible. High densities of Bobolinks have been found using hayland mowed the previous year.
- Avoid or minimize placement of development (e.g. energy, housing, utility lines) or other human infrastructure in native prairie/unbroken grassland and tame grasslands.
- Follow beneficial or best practices during the design, siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of tall structures (e.g. transmission lines, communication towers, wind turbines).
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Bobolinks prefer habitats of moderately tall, dense vegetation and will readily use planted grasslands.
Vegetation structure is more important than vegetation composition.
Native and tame grasslands, hayland, light to moderately grazed pasture, no-till cropland, small-grain fields, old fields, wet meadows, CRP, and DNC habitats are all utilized if the cover is tall and relatively dense.
Positively associated with the area of emergent herbaceous wetlands within the surrounding landscape.
Abundance is negatively correlated with percent clubmoss, bare ground, and communities dominated solely by native grass.
Typically avoids areas with woody vegetation and woodland edges.
Nest on the ground, often beneath a large forb.
Forages on a variety of seeds and insects.
Frequently uses stiff vegetation or heavy-stemmed forbs as perches and singing substrate.