Photography of Birds – Set # 170

Set # 170

Brown-headed Cowbird (M)

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small obligate brood parasitic icterid native to temperate and subtropical North America. They are permanent residents in the southern parts of their range; northern birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico in winter, returning to their summer habitat around March or April.

European Starling

The Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the European starling in the United States or simply the starling in the British Isles, is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is about 20 cm (8 in) long and has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, which is speckled with white at some times of year. The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer; young birds have browner plumage than the adults. It is a noisy bird, especially in communal roosts and other gregarious situations, with an unmusical but varied song. Its gift for mimicry has been noted in literature including the Mabinogion and the works of Pliny the Elder and William Shakespeare.

Tags: birding, birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, European Starling, Interesting information, PHOTO SETS, photography, photos of birds

12 thoughts on “Photography of Birds – Set # 170”

bayphotosbydonna on November 5, 2020 at 7:26 am said:

That is the prettiest capture of a Brown-headed Cowbird I’ve ever seen, HJ! ❤

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 5, 2020 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Donna. I’m glad that you liked it. 🙂
  
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de Wets Wild on November 5, 2020 at 12:26 pm said:

So beautifully done, H.J!

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 5, 2020 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, D. 🙂
  
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Jane's Heartsong on November 5, 2020 at 2:32 pm said:

Great lighting!

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 5, 2020 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Jane. 🙂
  
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tootlepedal on November 5, 2020 at 5:16 pm said:

Cool picture of the Brown-headed Cowbird, HJ.

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 5, 2020 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Tom. 🙂
  
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aussiebirder on November 5, 2020 at 6:41 pm said:

How did it get the name Cowbird HJ, is there any significance, like the Cattle Egret spends its life on and near cattle ?

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 5, 2020 at 7:31 pm said:
  
  It’s something similar to that, these birds love to raid agricultural fields and Farms, are usually seen digging for invertebrates among the cattle. Generally, there’s life in the cattle excrement since they only eat grasses and herbs. Thank you, Ashley. 🙂 🐂
  
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Sandra J on November 6, 2020 at 7:09 pm said:

I just love the Starlings. Wonderful photo.

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- H.J. for avian101 on November 6, 2020 at 7:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Sandra. 🙂
  
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