Galapagos Bobolink

Name: Bobolink
Family: Mimidae
Scientific name: Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Length: 18 cm (7.1 in)
Weight: 1.5 ounces

Category: Land Birds
Number of Species: 49
Endemic Species: 22

In total, 49 species of land birds have been recorded in the Galapagos, 22 of which are endemic to the Islands. Land birds can be divided into 5 categories: Diurnal Raptors, Night Birds, Larger Land Birds, Aerial Feeders and Smaller Land Birds.

Endemic Subspecies: Vermilion Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler

Flycatchers are small birds with large heads; short, broad-based, flat bills; and short legs. They have a rather erect posture and feed by making sallies from exposed perches to catch passing insects. The two species resident in Galapagos are readily identifiable.

Identification:
Smaller and daintier than Large-billed Flycatcher. ADULT MALE: Unmistakable, with brilliant red crown and underparts, black mask and upperparts. ADULT FEMALE AND JUVENILE: Brown above and yellow below, with a whitish supercilium and pale throat and chin; lacks wing-bars. The subspecies dubius differs from nanus in being slightly smaller and generally paler in all plumages

Behavior:
Typical flycatcher, chasing insects in the air and foraging on the ground.

The only species of New World blackbird recorded in Galápagos is the Bobolink. This species is medium-sized with a longish, rather ragged-tipped tail and short, conical bill. Males are readily identified in breeding plumage bur females and juveniles are brown and streaked.