Scientific Name:   Molothrus ater

Length:   7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)

Weight:   1.5-1.8 oz (42-50 g)

Wingspan:   14.2 in (36 cm)

Nest:   A brood parasite, its eggs and young being cared for by other bird species as they do not build nests themselves.

Eggs:   Whitish with brown and gray spots concentrated at larger end. Female may lay nearly one egg per day for several weeks, up to 40 in a season, exceptionally 70 or more.

Feeding Behavior:   Brown-headed Cowbirds feed on the ground in mixed-species groups of blackbirds and starlings. Males gather on lawns to strut and display for mates. They eat seeds that make up about half of diet in summer and more than 90% in winter. The remainder of their diet is mostly insects, especially grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, plus many others, also spiders and millipedes.

Young:   Known to have laid eggs in nests of over 220 species of birds, and over 140 of those are known to have raised young cowbirds. Fed by "host" parents. Develop rapidly, and leave nest usually after 10-11 days.

Range:   Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found in many open habitats, such as fields, pastures, meadows, forest edges, and lawns. Very widespread in nesting season, localized at other times. May begin to depart from nesting areas by August or even July.

Brief Description:   Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have glossy black plumage and a rich brown head that often looks black in poor lighting or at distance. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are plain brown birds, lightest on the head and underparts, with fine streaking on the belly and a dark eye.