Bird · GBIF taxon 2490363
Dickcissel
Spiza americanaAlso known as Black-throated Bunting
Males belt out their rhythmic, buzzing song from tall weed stalks across North American prairies throughout the heat of midsummer. Marked by a bright yellow chest, black V-shaped bib, and chestnut shoulder patches, these restless songbirds build cup nests concealed in dense prairie vegetation. In autumn, massive flocks assemble to undertake a long-distance migration to the open savannas and agricultural plains of South America.
Grassland BirdMigratorySongbird
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Grass Seeds
Predators
- Northern Harrier
- American Kestrel
- Feral Cat
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural mowing during nesting season, and winter control measures
HabitatsTallgrass prairies, hayfields, old fields, and pastures
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCardinalidae
- SpeciesSpiza americana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for low-flying females dropping into tall grass where woven cup nests are concealed.
- Support conservation
- Avoid entering uncut hayfields or native pastures during the May through July nesting period.
Responsible observation
- Listening: Listen for the distinctive dick-dick-ciss-ciss-ciss song repeated continuously on hot summer afternoons.
- Locating: Scan fence posts, power lines, and tall wildflower stems along prairie field edges.
- Patience: Stay on established roads or trails to observe perching males without trampling hidden nests.
Prairie Neighbor (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd · cc-by-sa
Prairie Neighbor (c) Grant Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Kin Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Kin (c) Michael D Fox, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael D Fox · cc-by
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