Sparrow-like, thin, and sleek, this passerine of the tallgrass prairies can flock with House Sparrows out of breeding season. They are insectivores and seedeaters that enjoy fallow fields with scattered trees, shrubs and hedgerows. The male will often sing atop fleshy plants and tall weeds, which makes his presence quite noticeable.
A summer resident of the Great Plains and Midwest, and scattered eastern and southeastern parts of the US, many are acquainted with the sound of "dick-dick-ciss-ciss." This handsome bird is attracted by forbs, alfalfa fields, timothy grass and similar weeds and plantings. Surprisingly, it is polygynous, but may also be quite monogamous. Other than provide sperm, the male does little else, other than find a second mate to procreate the species. The Dickcissel may nest upon the ground or in a sapling, whatever suits it during that stage.
Male Dickcissel
The biggest attraction for this bird is extensive grassland, which tends to vary on a year-to-year basis, depending upon weather conditions. In drought years, they will come north more often, and conversely, they will remain in southern Texas during rainy breeding seasons. This practice also occurs on the wintering grounds, which can also markedly vary. They are generally an agricultural pest in their winter range, and have been poisoned as a result. The birds will flock before migration, much like Purple Martins, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, etc., creating a very large and often noisy group.
Unless we propagate more grassland, this bird will lose population and turn into an extirpated species if we allow it. Since these things can rapidly occur, it is in our best interests to do what we can for the species, like eliminate pesticides. Neonicotinoids can and will be a rapid negative effect for other grassland birds, namely the Bobolink, as well as many other pollinator species. This bird is seeking out what can be turned into grasslands in the northeastern part of the country according to eBird numbers.
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