bobolink

noun

bob·​o·​link ˈbä-bə-ˌliŋk How to pronounce bobolink (audio)
: an American migratory songbird (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) with the breeding male chiefly black

Examples of bobolink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the spring, areas around the younger trees drew ground nesters like bobolinks — songbirds that migrate to and from South America — killdeer and woodcocks, who availed themselves of the open spaces to perform their courtship flights and rear their young. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2023 Species showing declines included the ovenbird, which relies on heavy leaf litter, and the beloved bobolink, known for its distinctive coloring and song, as well as its impressive annual migration. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2022 Sightings at Nauset Spit in Orleans included a Lapland longspur, 3 marsh wrens, 5 American pipits, 21 Savannah sparrows, a yellow-breasted chat, and 3 bobolinks. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Oct. 2019 Reports from Crane WMA in Falmouth included 2 American kestrels, 9 Eastern phoebes, 2 grasshopper sparrows, 18 Eastern towhees, 2 bobolink, 4 Eastern meadowlarks, a dickcissel, and 2 blue grosbeaks. BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2019 Researchers are working with landowners in the state to preserve some of the last vital habitats available for grassland birds, like the bobolink, Savannah sparrow and meadowlark. USA TODAY, 3 July 2019 From here the trail travels along a dusty road through a vast field populated by bobolink and eastern meadowlark. Peter Marteka, courant.com, 20 May 2018 Here is a sampling of the offerings: Bloomfield: A nature walk on the Orchard Trail to the High Orchard, through farm fields to the Auer Farm Road Orchard to look for bobolinks. Susan Dunne, courant.com, 15 May 2018 Officials say rare bird species such as bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows, and American kestrels breed on the grassland. Frank Kummer, Philly.com, 9 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bobolink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

circa 1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bobolink was circa 1801

Dictionary Entries Near bobolink

Cite this Entry

“Bobolink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bobolink. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bobolink

noun
bob·​o·​link ˈbäb-ə-ˌliŋk How to pronounce bobolink (audio)
: an American songbird that has plumage which is streaky brown above and yellowish brown below except for the breeding season when the male is chiefly black and white

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