The Dickcissel is a small songbird found primarily in the grasslands and agricultural fields of the central United States. In this article, we will explore the Dickcissel’s range, habitat, migration patterns, and conservation status.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Spiza americana
- Other Common Names: American Dickcissel, Prairie Dickcissel
- Size: 15-18 cm long, wingspan 22-26 cm
- Weight: 17-27 g
- Identifying Marks: Streaked brown back, yellow breast and belly, black triangular patch on chest
- Song: Series of 4-9 brief cheery notes
- Nesting: Ground nests hidden in dense vegetation
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Dickcissel Range
During the breeding season, the core of the Dickcissel’s range centers on the Great Plains of the United States, spanning from southern Minnesota and Wisconsin south through Missouri, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Their range extends eastward into Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and northwestern Florida.
Dickcissels also breed locally and irregularly in suitable habitat across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. Isolated breeding populations are found in northern Mexico and areas of Central America.
In the non-breeding season, Dickcissels migrate in large flocks to agricultural regions of northern South America east of the Andes Mountains. Their winter range includes parts of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.
Breeding Range Map
Image source: All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Ideal Habitat
Dickcissels thrive in open grassland habitats with dense vegetation and scattered shrubs. Native tallgrass prairie provides ideal nesting and foraging grounds, but they readily inhabit agricultural lands such as hayfields, pastures, weedy fencerows, roadside ditches and crop fields.
During the breeding season, males establish and defend breeding territories ranging from 0.5-4 acres in size. They prefer tracts of habitat greater than 25 acres, as nest success declines near habitat edges. Grassy wetland edges also provide suitable habitat.
In their South American wintering grounds, Dickcissels inhabit savannas, grasslands, agricultural areas, brushy open woodlands and marshes. They tend to avoid densely forested areas.
Typical Breeding Habitats
- Native tallgrass prairie
- Hayfields
- Pastures
- Old fields
- Fencerows
- Roadside ditches
- Crop fields (oats, wheat)
- Grassy wetland edges
Migration
Dickcissels are long-distance neotropical migrants, breeding in North America during the summer and traveling to northern South America for the winter. They migrate in large flocks, often stopping to rest and forage in suitable habitat along the way.
Northward spring migration begins in late March and early April. Males arrive first to establish breeding territories, followed by females approximately 1-2 weeks later. Southward fall migration occurs in September and October after breeding has finished.
Dickcissels undergo a molt into dull non-breeding plumage prior to fall migration. Their winter range spans northeastern South America across Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil and regions farther south. Migration routes traverse Central America or cross the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Approximate Migration Timing
Season | Month(s) |
---|---|
Spring Migration | Late March – Early May |
Breeding Season | May – July |
Fall Migration | September – October |
Winter Range | Late October – Early March |
Diet
Dickcissels are primarily granivorous during the breeding season, feeding mostly on small seeds from grasses, sedges, forbs and agricultural crops. Common food sources include grain sorghum, millet, wheat, oats, grass seeds, smartweed seeds, dandelion seeds and more.
They supplement their diet with insects when raising young, consuming beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, wasps, bees and other small invertebrates. Foraging occurs mostly on the ground by walking through dense vegetation and gleaning food from stalks and leaves.
On their wintering grounds, Dickcissels shift to eating more rice, agricultural seeds, aquatic vegetation and insects. Flocks forage in fields, brushlands, forest edges and wetlands.
Major Food Sources
- Grain seeds
- Grass seeds
- Weed seeds
- Insects
- Rice
- Agricultural seeds
Breeding and Nesting
Dickcissels breed from May through July across their range. They are monogamous, with pairs forming at the start of each breeding season. Males establish breeding territories and sing persistently to attract females.
Nesting typically begins in mid-May once females arrive. The female builds the nest alone, carefully weaving together leaves, stems, grasses and flower heads. Nest sites are on the ground concealed in dense clumps of vegetation, often at the base of a grass tuft or shrub.
Clutch sizes range from 3-6 eggs, with 4-5 being most common. Eggs are light blue and speckled. Only the female incubates the eggs for 11-13 days before hatching. Both parents feed the nestlings with seeds and insects.
Young fledge from the nest around 9-12 days after hatching. First clutches are often lost to predation or farm machinery. Pairs may successfully raise 1-2 broods per season. Nest success is highest in large tracts of undisturbed habitat.
Nesting and Reproduction
- Nest: Hidden ground nest woven from vegetation
- Clutch Size: 3-6 eggs
- Incubation: 11-13 days
- Fledging: 9-12 days
- Broods per season: 1-2
Conservation Status
Dickcissel populations declined during the mid-1900s, likely due to loss of native prairie habitat. However, they remain common and widespread across their range. The species has adapted well to using agricultural land and grassy roadsides.
They are still vulnerable to further prairie habitat loss, as well as pesticide use, nest destruction by farm machinery and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. But their ability to exploit human-altered habitat has allowed their numbers to stabilize more than other grassland bird species.
The Dickcissel is currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 19 million, with 97% spending some part of the year in the U.S. Protected prairie preserves and sustainable agricultural practices will be important to their continued success.
Population Status
- Global Population: 19 million
- Population Trend: Stable
- Threats: Habitat loss, pesticides, farming practices
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Conclusion
In summary, the Dickcissel is a small and vibrant songbird found primarily in the grasslands of central North America. Its breeding range centers on the Great Plains, but extends into the southeastern states as well. Dickcissels migrate long distances to overwinter in South America east of the Andes.
They thrive in natural prairie as well as agricultural areas with ample undisturbed vegetation. Conservation of remaining prairie habitat and sustainable farming practices will benefit Dickcissel populations. Though they face some ongoing threats, Dickcissels remain common across most of their range.