The dickcissel bird is a bunting of the finch and sparrow family. The dickcissel is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Its plumage is a streaked grayish-brown, varied by a yellow breast and bright chestnut wing patches. There is a conspicuous black crescent on the throat. Dickcissels are common in the central United States, and are sometimes seen in the eastern states. They live along railroads and roadsides. The birds eat insects and seeds. The female lays from 3 to 5 eggs. The nest is built of leaves, grass, and hair, and is on or near the ground.
Scientific Classification. The dickcissel belongs to the New World seedeater family, Fringillidae. The bird is
genus Spiza, species
S, americana.
