Brown Brood
Although this bird is not the most popular amongst the avian 10,000 bird species that are known to date in the world, I believe that it’s fair to them to be mentioned as a strong american bird. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a small brood parasitic icteric of North America.
The brown-headed cowbird is typical for an icterid in general shape, but is distinguished by a finch-like head and beak and is smaller than most icterids. The adult male is iridescent black in color with a brown head. The adult female is slightly smaller and is dull grey with a pale throat and very fine streaking on the underparts.
These birds live in open country and often travel in flock, sometimes mixed with Red-winged Blackbirds Common Grackles or European Starlings.
They forage on the ground, often following grazing animals to catch insect stirred by larger animals. they mainly eat seeds and insects.
The brown-headed cowbird is a brood parasite: it lays its eggs in the nests of other small perching birds, particularly those that build cup-like nests. The brown-headed cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors.
I’m very familiar to their eating habits, their voracious appetite and their aggressive behavior, but I know deep down they are of great service to our Ecology by helping balance the proliferation of destructive insects of all types.
“I just only hope that I won’t get too many of them visit my backyard this new season!”
Photo Gallery
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Lovely photographs!
Thank you very much! 🙂
As mentioned in a previous reply, I saw a lot of this species while living in Wisconsin. The fun is watching the males walk while sounding off “Kirplink” while bobbing their heads. I’ve not seen them up here in the mountains of New Hampshire so no worries of an over-abundance at the feeders.
Just give them a little chance! I love to comment about how much they eat but I really don’t care if they do, I enjoy what I do, all shortcomings included. Thanks Judy for sharing! 🙂
Sounds like our cuckoos, splendid pictures of them, really enjoyed looking at your selection.
Thank you very much Susan! 🙂
I get attacked by Grackles when they’re nesting. We don’t have Cowbirds in Interior B. C., so the most common irritating birds here are Starlings, Grackles and Magpies. I’ve come to enjoy Starlings at my hanging suet feeder because they are so out of sorts with one another that as soon as one tries to eat, a rival comes and knocks it off the perch, only to find itself in the same boat by another, and so on and so on, until I see that none of them have eaten anything as a result. And they squawk and fight and scrabble, yet insist on remaining family. It always makes me feel better about my own in comparison, LOL.
Well, your are describing very well what’s their natural behavior for any of those species, it’s very similar to the B.H. Cowbirds! Thanks Lance for your sharing! 🙂
We don’t have birds like that here. Great pictures. Thanks for teaching me more about the wonderful variety of birdlife. 🙂
Thanks Jane for being a good student! 🙂
I used to really dislike cowbirds due to their parasitic nature, but over time I’ve come to appreciate their subtle beauty. Your photos do a perfect job of capturing their personality!
In every species of birds one can not like or dislike at first looks or because odd aesthetic image. Looking a bit deeper into their lives we often learn how valuable their are and end up liking them. Thanks Amy for sharing! 🙂
These gallery is so perfect dear HJ… Great photographs…. And lovely post!.
All the best to you!, Aquileana 😀
You’re so kind Aquileana! I love your comments! Sweet as honey! 🙂