This is a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird in our backyard. I first noticed him hanging out with our male Northern Cardinal, which I found odd. Then I learned that Cowbirds are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species instead of building their own. This is known as a brood parasite. Cowbirds do not raise their own chicks, but the unsuspecting birds who incubate the Cowbird’s eggs raise them instead.
Brown-headed Cowbird — Molothrus ater
SIZE:
- Male
- Length: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-1.8 oz (42-50 g)
- Wingspan: 14.2 in (36 cm)
- Female
- Length: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)
- Weight: 1.3-1.6 oz (38-45 g)
- Wingspan: 12.6-15.0 in (32-38 cm)
LOCATION:
FOOD:
Cowbirds eat seeds from weeds and grasses and some grains. They live near cattle and bison and feed on Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, that the large mammals stir into into motion.
This is our male Northern Cardinal named “Red” who is feeding the juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird.
Eventually, the juvenile Cowbirds leave their adoptive families and find other Cowbirds. Scientists are studying this phenomenon to figure out how they recognize their own species. Some think it’s through their sounds that they recognize other Cowbirds.
SOUNDS:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/sounds
We have cowbirds as well, but only in the spring and early summer.
I’ve just noticed cowbirds this summer. I’ll see if they stay.
It seems wrong that the Cowbird uses other species like this. Odd! 😂
Not only does it seem wrong, sometimes the chicks that belong in the nest die because the cowbird fledgling is bigger, takes all the food or smothers them.
This reminds me of a piece of parenting advice I once heard, which goes, don’t wait so long to have children that your parents are too old to raise them.
True. The Cowbirds have no interest in raising the chicks. Only laying the eggs.
This doesn’t sound like a nice bird. 🙂 I’ve never heard of this species before, but it’s nice of Red to feed the young Cowbird.
I see them together every few evenings. The Cowbird stays outside our fence and Red visits the bird feeder and flies over to the Cowbird with birdseed.
I suspect we have them here, given the map in your post but I don’t think that I’ve seen one yet. Probably more likely out on our hikes than in the neighborhood. Very opportunistic birds for sure, but I guess that’s what evolution is all about.
I have only seen one or two this summer. I’m not sure if they are seasonal or not. The males are shiny black and the females brown.
Wonderful observation. I’ve read about cowbirds but never seen them. For that matter I’ve seen many cuckoos and many of their target species, but never observed this kind of parasitic behaviour.
It was so fascinating to see. But I’ve also read that the Cowbird fledglings can be bigger than the songbirds chicks that are hatching. The Cowbird is more aggressive getting food from the songbird parents and can also smother the other chicks. I find it fascinating that our Cardinals had three of their own fledglings this summer who flew the nest, and now they’re raising a Cowbird!
Are cowbirds and crows the same species?
No. Cowbirds are a type of Blackbird while Crows belong to a different family. The male Cowbirds are black with a brown head, females are all brown. Crows also build their own nests and raise their chicks.
Thanks for clarifying. I don’t think we have cowbirds here. Or perhaps they are in a different region on the country
I just looked it up. Cowbirds are in the Americas.
Got it
👍🏼
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So fascinating! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a cowbird.
This is a new bird for me too. I wonder if they will be here year round or are migrating?
Lisa will love all of this extra detail, Elizabeth! I mentioned Cowbird behavior to her the other day (thanks to you!) and she was totally intrigued! Me, too! Thank you! ❤️😉❤️
Yay! I’m so glad Lisa liked learning about Cowbirds. I enjoyed learning more about them, too. My husband keeps saying how unfair this is to Red and Mrs. 😂
That’s what Lisa thinks! Same as your hubby! 😜❤️😜
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Cheers to the adopted parents of cowbirds. If not for them, I guess cowbirds would become extinct!
But they sometimes kill the chicks of the adopted parents. I think there needs to be responsibility by their own parents? Raise your own kids? 😉
Oh dear, on killing the chicks of the adopted parents! 😱
Yes, I agree! Someone needs to straighten those cowbirds out! Parenting classes 🙂
On my goodness! Parenting classes! Thankfully Red is a perfect husband, parent and adoptive parent. He got straits As.
LOL! Yes, he is an A+ bird! ❤️
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Beautiful post my friend
😊
The animal kingdom is such a strange and interesting, yet fierce place. I think there is always something new to learn. I’m not sure I’ve seen a cowbird, but now I’m going to keep my eye out for them.
I agree completely. There is always something new to learn in the animal kingdom.
Such a strange little bird. I wonder if the “raise my baby for me” thing is a natural adaptation…it’s odd but clearly works.
I told my son about the parasite brood and he said cuckoos are known to do the same thing. I also learned that the cowbird lays eggs in more than 200 different species nests. I do wonder if it’s a natural adaptation, too?
Love that picture of Red with the cowbird. Amazing!
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