Cowbird

Brown-Headed Cowbirds are brood parasitic New World birds. These birds feed on insects, including the large numbers that may be stirred up by... more

by Deena Stoddard

Title

Cowbird

Artist

Deena Stoddard

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Brown-Headed Cowbirds are brood parasitic New World birds. These birds feed on insects, including the large numbers that may be stirred up by cattle. In order for the birds to remain mobile and stay with the herd, they have adapted by laying their eggs in other birds' nests. The cowbird will watch for when its host lays eggs, and when the nest is left unattended, the female will come in and lay its own eggs. The female cowbird may continue to observe the nest after laying her eggs. If the cowbird egg is removed, the female cowbird may destroy the host's eggs.

This Brown-Headed Cowbird is actually a juvenile molting into the male colors of a blue body with a brown head, captured in southern Wisconsin. As I was observing, it became obvious that this particular bird was raised by House Sparrows, an invasive species in the United States.



All images © 2011-2020 Deena Stoddard ~ All Rights Reserved

Uploaded

November 12th, 2013