Did you know that the brown-headed cowbird is North America’s biggest nest parasite?
Brown-Headed Cowbirds
at
a Glance
Key Features:
Male brown-headed cowbirds are chunky blackbirds with brown heads. Females are brown.
Least Concern - Population Decreasing
Habitat:
Fields, forest edges, grasslands, orchards, parks, pastures, prairies, and thickets
nesting habits:
Brown-headed cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
seasons brown-headed cowbirds are active in our area:
All year
Diet:
Seeds, insects, eggs, and snail shells
hunting Behavior:
Brown-headed cowbirds forage on the ground, usually in mixed flocks.
Commonly Confused With:
Brewer's Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Red-Winged Blackbirds
Female brown-headed cowbirds are often confused with female red-winged blackbirds because both are brown. Female red-winged blackbirds are more heavily streaked.
Male brown-headed cowbirds are often confused with Brewer’s blackbirds because both have black bodies. Male brown-headed cowbirds have brown heads. Brewer’s blackbirds are solid black.