Have you ever heard a bird singing a song that goes “dick-dick-see-see-see”? That’s the distinctive call of the Dickcissel, a small American sparrow that is found in open grasslands and croplands aross much of the United States.
The Dickcissel is a medium sized bird, measuring five to six inches in length and typically weighing between 1/2 and 3/4 ounce. They are usually brown or grey in color with black and white stripes on their wings and backs, as well as a white chin and throat. The males are generally brighter than the females.
The Dickcissel has an interesting history when it comes to taxonomy. While it is currently classified as part of the cardinal family (Cardinalidae), it has been plced in several different families over the years, including New World sparrows, orioles, and blackbirds.
When breeding season arrives, these birds feed mostly on insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, termites, flies, wasps, beetles, and spiders. But on migration or during winter they switch to eating seeds from plants such as grasses, willows, buckwheat as well as crops like rice and sorghum.
The Dickcissel is also a long distance migrant bird that begins leaving its wintering grounds for its breeding territories in late March and April arriving from mid April through early May every year. The fall migratory flocks then begin to form in mid August bfore arriving in South America by September or October.
So if you’re ever out walking around open grasslands or croplands this spring or summer keep your eyes peeled for this little songbird who will be sure to brighten your day with its cheerful song!
The Origin of the Name Dickcissel
The Dickcissel gets its name from the distinctive call it makes, which consists of a series of short “dick” sounds followed by a longer “cissel” sound. This call is often described as sounding like “dick-dick-see-see-see” and is frequently heard during the breeding season in open fields and meadows. The name is derived from the combination of these two parts of the call, creating the word “Dickcissel.”
Source: birdadvisors.com
Are Dickcissels a Species of Sparrow?
No, Dickcissels are not sparrows. While they have been placed in the New World sparrow family (Emberizidae) in the past, more recent taxonomic studies have shown that they are actually more closely related to cardinals and other members of the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). Genetic analyses have found that the closest living relatives of Dickcissels are blackbirds, orioles, and tropical buntings. Thus, while there may be some similarities between Dickcissels and sparrows, based on current scientific evidence it is clear that they are not true sparrows.
What Do Dickcissels Eat?
The Dickcissel is an insectivorous bird, meaning its diet is mainly composed of insects. During the breeding season, it will eat a range of insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, termites, flies, wasps and beetles, as well as spiders. On migration and in winter however, its diet shifts to mostly seeds including grasses, willows and buckwheat. It has also been kown to feed on crops such as rice and sorghum.
Do Dickcissels Migrate?
Yes, Dickcissels are long-distance migrants. Each spring they depart thir wintering grounds in late March and April and begin arriving on their breeding territories from mid-April to early May. In the fall, flocks begin forming in mid-August and arrive in South America in September and October. Dickcissels have one of the longest migratory routes of all North American land birds and can travel up to 20,000 miles per year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dickcissel is an interesting species of bird that has vexed taxonomists for years. This long-distance migrant is found in North America and South America and breeds from mid-April through early May, with fall migratory flocks beginning to form in mid-August. During the breeding season, Dickcissels feed on both insects and seeds, whereas on migration and in winter they eat almost exclusively seeds including grasses, willows, and buckwheat as well as crops like rice and sorghum. The basic song of the Dickcissel is a simple buzzy “dick-dick-see-see-see”, which gives them teir name. All in all, the Dickcissel is an intriguing bird that deserves further study.
