Today We celebrate: The Dickcissel

There are moments in birdwatching when you spot a magnificent creature and think, Wow. Nature is incredible.

And then there are moments when somebody says, “Hey, look! A Dickcissel!”

And suddenly nobody in the group is mature enough to continue.

Meet the Dickcissel

The Dickcissel (Spiza americana) is a small songbird found primarily in the grasslands of central North America. At first glance, it looks perfectly respectable: yellow chest, brownish back, chunky little seed-cracking bill, and the general appearance of a bird who pays his taxes early.

Then you learn his name: Dickcissel.

Suddenly you're twelve years old again.

The name actually comes from the male's distinctive song, which has been interpreted as sounding something like “dick-dick-ciss-ciss-ciss.”

Which raises an important question:

Who heard that and thought, Yep. That's what we're going with.

There were options: Grassland Finch. Yellow-Chested Seed Goblin. Prairie McNugget. Gerald.

But no.

Dickcissel.

And for that, we thank the ornithological community.

Where Can You Find One?

Dickcissels spend their breeding season hanging around open grasslands, prairies, pastures, and agricultural areas across parts of the central United States.

Basically, they're out there in the tall grass, yelling their own name at strangers.

Which is a level of self-confidence most of us will never achieve.

Imagine waking up every morning, flying to the top of a fence post, puffing out your chest and screaming:

“DICK! DICK! CISSEL CISSEL CISSEL!”

No coffee.

No hesitation.

No concern about what the neighbors think.

Just pure Dickcissel energy.

What Does a Dickcissel Eat?

Dickcissels eat a mixture of seeds and insects, depending on the season.

During breeding season, insects provide an important food source. At other times, they consume plenty of seeds and grains.

In other words, the Dickcissel enjoys getting its beak into some seed.

We are going to behave professionally and leave that sentence exactly as written.

Moving on.

The Male Dickcissel Is Quite the Show-Off

Male Dickcissels are more boldly colored than females, sporting a yellow chest and a distinctive dark throat patch.

And when breeding season arrives, the males become particularly vocal.

Very vocal.

They're essentially tiny feathered dudes standing on fence posts shouting advertisements about themselves all day.

AVAILABLE.

LOUD.

HAS TERRITORY.

NAMED DICKCISSEL.

Ladies?

Apparently, it works.

The Dickcissel Is Also a Serious Traveler

For something that sounds like it should be scribbled on a bathroom wall, the Dickcissel is an impressive long-distance migrant.

After breeding in North America, these birds migrate south, with many spending the winter in northern South America.

That's thousands of miles of travel for a bird that weighs roughly about an ounce.

Meanwhile, some of us won't drive eight minutes across town because the parking situation looks annoying.

Respect the Dickcissel.

Could a Dickcissel Visit Your Feeder?

Dickcissels are primarily birds of open grasslands rather than typical backyard feeder regulars, so you probably shouldn't expect one to suddenly appear outside your kitchen window demanding sunflower seeds.

But stranger things have happened.

And should a Dickcissel ever visit your Perv Feeder, we ask that you conduct yourself with dignity.

Take a photograph.

Observe quietly.

Appreciate this remarkable little member of the natural world.

And then immediately text everyone you know:

“THERE'S A DICKCISSEL ON MY PERV.”

Because opportunities like that don't come around twice.

Final Thoughts

The Dickcissel is proof that birdwatching doesn't have to be serious.

Sure, birds are fascinating. They're ecologically important. Their migrations are incredible. Their songs are beautiful. And learning about them can give us a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

But sometimes nature hands you a bird called a Dickcissel.

And the correct scientific response is to giggle.

So here's to you, Dickcissel.

Keep singing.

Keep migrating.

Keep eating seed.

And above all else...

Never change your name.

— The Perv Feeder Team

Bringing birds to your window and maturity levels to an all-time low.