Brown-headed cowbird

File:LS110137 BHCO B Brown-headed cowbird one call.ogg

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small icterid bird native to North America. It is known for its brood parasitism, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species, which then raise the cowbird's young.

Description

The brown-headed cowbird exhibits sexual dimorphism. The adult male has a distinctive brown head, a black body, and a short tail. The female is duller in color, with a grayish-brown body and lighter underparts. Both sexes have a stout bill and dark eyes.

Distribution and Habitat

Brown-headed cowbirds are found across most of North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico. They inhabit open or semi-open areas, including grasslands, farmland, and woodland edges. They are often seen in association with livestock, which help to flush insects from the ground.

Behavior

Feeding

Brown-headed cowbirds primarily feed on insects and seeds. They often forage on the ground, following grazing animals to catch insects disturbed by their movement.

Reproduction

Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The host birds then incubate the cowbird eggs and raise the cowbird chicks, often at the expense of their own young. This behavior can negatively impact the populations of the host species.

Conservation Status

The brown-headed cowbird is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, their parasitic behavior has led to declines in some host species, prompting conservation efforts to manage cowbird populations in certain areas.

Gallery

• Molothrus ater female.jpg

  Female brown-headed cowbird

• Molothrus ater juvenile.jpg

  Juvenile brown-headed cowbird

See also

• Brood parasitism
• Icteridae
• Birds of North America