Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is in the New World Blackbirds and Orioles family (Icteridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,420 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.
When to photograph Bobolink: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bobolink
The bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a small New World blackbird and the only member of the genus Dolichonyx.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bobolink by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 808 | May | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 739 | May | May–Jun |
| Vermont | 679 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 644 | May | May–Jul |
| Florida | 498 | May | Apr–May |
| Minnesota | 480 | June | May–Jul |
| Illinois | 453 | May | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 377 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 364 | June | May–Jul |
| Maryland | 363 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 360 | May | May–Jun |
| Maine | 350 | June | May–Jun |
| Texas | 262 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 204 | May | May–May |
| North Dakota | 178 | June | May–Jul |
| California | 172 | October | Sep–Oct |
| New Jersey | 165 | May | May–Sep |
| Oregon | 160 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 155 | June | May–Jun |
| Colorado | 145 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 143 | May | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 137 | May | Apr–May |
| South Dakota | 124 | June | May–Jul |
| Nebraska | 112 | May | May–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 105 | May | May–Jun |
| Louisiana | 100 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 99 | June | May–Jul |
| Missouri | 93 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 90 | May | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 76 | April | Apr–May |
| Iowa | 76 | June | May–Jul |
| West Virginia | 73 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 70 | May | May–Jun |
| Delaware | 66 | September | Jul–Sep |
| South Carolina | 60 | May | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 57 | May | May–May |
| Utah | 48 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 46 | May | May–Jul |
| Washington | 41 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 40 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 37 | May | May–May |
| Mississippi | 35 | May | Apr–May |
| Kansas | 31 | May | May–May |
| Idaho | 29 | June | May–Jun |
| Arizona | 20 | May | May–May |
| Wyoming | 20 | May | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 14 | May | May–May |
| District of Columbia | 11 | May | May–May |
| Nevada | 11 | June | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Brewer's Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
Western Meadowlark
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bobolink?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Bobolink most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Massachusetts, Vermont.