Dee At 8 A.M.: Brown-headed Cowbird

Showing posts with label Brown-headed Cowbird. Show all posts

Sunday, July 5, 2026

July 5, 2026

I am a female Brown-headed Cowbird

I leave my eggs in other birds nests

I'll kick out the other birds eggs if there's not room for mine

As a mom, I am not really the best.

Location: Curtice, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview

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Saturday, August 17, 2024

August 17, 2024

I am an adult Brown-headed Cowbird

Shown here, with my mate, on the right.

I like to eat seeds

From grasses and weeds

She eats snails and eggs when the timing is right.

(Note: As described in the linked article, because females can lay over 3 dozen eggs in a season, they have high calcium requirements. During breeding season they will eat other birds eggs to satisfy this need.)

Location: Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Swanton, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/lifehistory

Sunday, January 9, 2022

January 9, 2022

We are Brown-headed Cowbirds

My scientific name is Molothrus ater

We are partly responsible for the decline of some endangered birds

Because we are terrible maters and paters.

Location: Cocoa Christmas Bird Count

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview#

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

August 8, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

These are Brown-headed Cowbirds,
They hang out in trees or on lawns.
They abandon their eggs in other birds nests,
Oh my! What terrible moms.