Bobolink – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

Species Common Name Bobolink
Species Scientific Name Dolichonyx oryzivorus
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Blue Mountains

Located in NE Oregon, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the state. It provides a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys, and plateaus that extend beyond Oregon into the states of Idaho and Washington.

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Special needs

Bobolinks are migrant grassland birds that use broad leaf forbs (e.g., clover, alfalfa, false lupine, potentilla) for nesting cover and food resources. They feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, seeds, and grains.

Limiting factors

This species has experienced steep declines due to changes in land use. It persists in small, scattered colonies, many of which are found on private land. Bobolinks are sensitive to flooding and some agricultural practices.

Data gaps

Assess abundance and trends. Evaluate the effects of cowbird parasitism and corvid predation on breeding success.

Conservation actions

Expand partnerships with private landowners to manage Bobolink habitat. Remove residual vegetation and stimulate new growth prior to the breeding season. Delay field maintenance (e.g., mowing, haying) until after the breeding season.

Key reference or plan

Conservation Strategy for Landbirds in the Columbia Plateau of Eastern Oregon and Washington