Brown-headed Cowbird male displaying – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Brown-headed Cowbird breeding activity hasn’t slowed down yet high in the Wasatch Mountains if this displaying male is any indication of their mating attempts. Four days ago this adult male and one other male were busy chasing a female cowbird around as I photographed mating Spotted Sandpipers.
When the dark birds flew in they caught my eyes and for a few moments I observed and photographed their behavior. I know that they are brood parasites and that the females lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. I am very aware that some people despise them because of that. I’m not one of those people and I will photograph this species whenever I have the opportunity.
I also know that there are nests of Yellow Warblers, Song Sparrows, and possibly Gray Catbirds and Willow Flycatchers very close to where the cowbirds were displaying. The Yellow Warblers and Song Sparrows are already feeding chicks. I can hear that even though I haven’t yet seen the young birds. In previous breeding seasons in this exact same area I have seen Song Sparrow adults feeding cowbird fledglings.
Birds are going to do what they need to do to survive as a species and I can’t fault the cowbirds for that. Once upon a time cowbirds and their parasitic behaviors weren’t such a big problem until people changed the environment which allowed range expansion for this species.
I can’t say that I like how they have spread well beyond their historic range or how they are impacting other songbirds. I won’t despise them for it though when the blame falls directly at our feet.
I’ll step off my soapbox now.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Brown-headed Cowbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you for featuring this beauty. And yes, as so often is the case, we have a lot to answer for.