Bocas Species Database

Habitat: The Dickcissel can be found in a wide range of habitats, mostly in open areas.   Distribution: This species is migratory. It breeds in central United States and will migrate south in South America and Panama.   Natural History Notes: This species is often seen in clusters of birds, of sometime a thousand of birds. Dickcissels forage on the ground or in fields. They mainly eat insects and seeds. Interestingly, they are considered a pest by farmers in some regions because flocks can consume large quantities of cultivated grains. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC).   Characteristics: This species has a total length of 6 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). The male's plumage varies during breeding season. The breeding plumage consists of a pale gray head with a yellow band above the eye. Otherwise, the plumage above is brown with fine stripes of dark gray on the back and a prominent rusty red coloration on the shoulders. Also, the upper part of the throat is white with a black patch in the shape of a "V". The breast is yellow and becomes more white on the belly. The male's nonbreeding plumage is overall paler with a less bright yellow coloration and the black "V" patch is very pale or nonexistent. The female looks like the nonbreeding male, but does not have the black "V" patch and the shoulders are less rusty. However, there is still the yellow band on the chest.