Brown-headed Cowbird Images

Brown-headed Cowbird Images, Facts and Information:

Molothrus ater

• Brown-headed Cowbirds are small blackbirds, males have glossy black plumage with dark brown heads, females are gray-brown all over with lighter brown heads. Males, females and young have dark eyes and heavy bills.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds in the northern part of their range are migratory. Brown-headed Cowbirds breed throughout much of Canada, the U.S, and into Mexico. They are found in agricultural areas, fields, woodlands, meadows, and suburban areas.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds eat mostly seeds and arthropods. They are usually ground foragers.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds are North America’s most common brood parasites. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds make no nests of their own and lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species who then raise the young. They lay as many as 36 eggs in a nesting season. Some bird species recognize Brown-headed Cowbird eggs and will poke holes in the shells and remove the eggs, Yellow Warblers will build new nest on top of cowbird eggs.
• A group of cowbirds is called a “corral” or “herd” of cowbirds. They have been nicknamed “Buffalo Birds” because they follow herds of bison to eat the insects the bison stir up.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds can live to be more than 16 years old.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Brown-headed Cowbird photos.