The Dickcissel is a small songbird found in grasslands and agricultural fields across central North America. But where did this little brown bird get its unusual name? Let’s dig into the etymology and history behind the name “Dickcissel.”
What is a Dickcissel?
The Dickcissel (Spiza americana) is a sparrow-sized bird that belongs to the family Cardinalidae. Some key facts about the Dickcissel:
- Length: 13-15 cm
- Weight: 16-27 g
- Lifespan: typically 4-5 years
- Habitat: open grasslands, hayfields, prairies, agricultural areas
- Range: breeds in central U.S. and winters in southern U.S. to northern South America
- Diet: mainly insects and seeds
- Distinctive features: streaked brown back, yellow breast and belly, pale yellow line over eye
The Dickcissel is a colonial nester, building its nest low in grasses, shrubs or crops. Males sing a distinctive “dick dick” song from elevated perches to attract females and defend territories.
Origins of the Name
The Dickcissel takes its common name from its song, with “dick” imitating one of the most commonly repeated sounds and “cissel” derived from a word meaning small songbird. Let’s break it down:
“Dick” Imitates Its Call
The first part of the name, “dick,” is an onomatopoeia – a word that phonetically imitates a sound. Specifically, “dick” mimics the sharp, repetitive “dick dick” notes that the males repeatedly sing when attracting mates.
“Cissel” Means Small Songbird
The second half of the name, “cissel,” has old European origins. It comes from the Old German word “zeisig” and Dutch word “sijs,” both referring generally to small finch-like birds. This eventually evolved into “sissel” and “cissel” in English.
Who Named the Dickcissel?
The Dickcissel was formally described in 1822 by the French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, in his work The Birds of North America. However, the name “Dickcissel” was already in use long before then.
Early American colonists were likely the first to start calling the bird by this memorable onomatopoeic name. They noted the bird’s call sounded like it was repeatedly singing “dick dick.”
Dickcissel Scientific Name
The scientific name of the Dickcissel is Spiza americana.
Let’s break down what the scientific name indicates:
- Spiza – The genus, which comes from a Greek word for finch.
- americana – The species name, indicating it is found in America.
So the full scientific name classifies it as an American finch in the genus Spiza.
Why Do Dickcissels Sing “Dick Dick”?
Male Dickcissels have a primary song that sounds like “dick dick cissel cissel.” This distinct call serves a few key purposes:
- Attracting mates – The “dick” song attracts female Dickcissels.
- Declaring territory – It’s also used to proclaim ownership of a nesting territory and ward off rival males.
- Staying in contact – The call allows Dickcissels to remain in contact with their mate and colony members in tall grassy areas where visibility is poor.
Interestingly, the structure of the call varies geographically across different regions of their range. The pace, pitch, and other qualities change, almost forming regional dialects.
Dickcissel Nesting and Reproduction
Now that we understand how the “dick dick” song functions, let’s look at the nesting and breeding behavior of Dickcissels.
Nesting
Dickcissels build cup-shaped nests low in grassy vegetation, shrubs, or crop fields. The female does most of the constructing using grasses and leaves, lining the inner cup with softer material like hair or feathers.
Eggs
Females lay 3-6 pale bluish or greenish eggs, speckled with reddish brown spots. The eggs are incubated for 11-13 days before hatching.
Raising Young
Both parents feed the nestlings with insects. The young fledge from the nest at 9-12 days old. Within 2-3 weeks after leaving the nest, the young Dickcissels become independent.
Number of Broods
Dickcissels may raise 1-3 broods per breeding season. Their ability to successfully nest multiple times in a season is dependent on timing and food availability.
Dickcissel Population and Conservation Status
Here is a look at how Dickcissel populations have fared in recent decades and their current conservation status:
Population Decline Since 1960s
Dickcissel populations declined significantly between 1966 and 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The reasons are believed to include:
- Habitat loss, especially conversion of prairies to cropland
- Nest failures due to farming operations like mowing and harvesting
- Pesticide use reducing insect food sources
Current Population
The current global breeding population is estimated at 16 million birds.
Conservation Status
The Dickcissel has been classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List since 2018. Conservation actions include protecting remaining grasslands through easements and delayed mowing of hayfields.
| Year | Population Estimate |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 90 million |
| 2015 | 16 million |
Dickcissel Migration
Dickcissels are migratory songbirds. Here’s an overview of their migration:
- Winter range: Southern US to Venezuela
- Spring migration: April – May
- Breeding range: Central US and southern Canada
- Fall migration: August – November
On migration, Dickcissels form large flocks that can number in the thousands. They migrate at night and gather to rest and feed in grasslands, agricultural areas, and wetlands during the day.
Threats During Migration
Hazards Dickcissels face during migration include:
- Habitat loss at stopover sites
- Collisions with buildings and towers
- Predation from raptors and other predators
Conserving stopover habitats with adequate food resources is crucial to supporting healthy Dickcissel migrations.
Fun Facts About Dickcissels
Beyond their interesting name, here are some fun facts about these little grassland songbirds:
- Males may mate with up to 12 different females in a breeding season.
- Dominant males return to the same territory each year.
- Male Dickcissels are polygynous but females are monogamous.
- Dickcissels help control crop pests by eating insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars.
- They have been observed parasitizing the nests of other bird species.
Conclusion
In summary, the Dickcissel gets its catchy name from the “dick dick” call sung by males during breeding season. This memorable onomatopoeic name was bestowed by early American colonists, with “cissel” added to mean small songbird. Though Dickcissel populations have declined, conservation efforts focused on grassland habitats may help their numbers recover.
The next time you hear a repetitive “dick dick” song coming from a grassy field, you can remember the history behind the name and appreciate the importance of this small prairie songbird.
