Photography of Birds – Set # 226 | H.J. Ruiz - Avian101

Photography of Birds – Set # 226

Set # 226

Brown-headed Cowbirds

Brown-headed Cowbirds

Brown-headed Cowbirds

The Brown-headed Cowbird is an obligate brood parasite; it lays its eggs in the nests of other small passerines (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. The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed cowbird females can lay 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds.

Purple Martins

Purple Martins

Purple Martins

Purple Martins are sexually dimorphic. Adult males are entirely black with glossy steel blue sheen, the only swallow in North America with such coloration. Adult females are dark on top with some steel blue sheen, and lighter underparts. Adults have a slightly forked tail. Both male and female purple martins exhibit delayed plumage maturation, meaning it takes them two years before they acquire full adult plumage. Subadult females look similar to adult females minus the steel blue sheen and browner on the back. Subadult males look very much like females, but solid black feathers emerge on their chest in a blotchy, random pattern as they molt to their adult plumage.

© HJ Ruiz – Avian101

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

10 thoughts on “Photography of Birds – Set # 226”

bayphotosbydonna on January 28, 2021 at 9:14 am said:

I really like your Cowbird image, HJ! The Purple Martins just arrived here in Everglades City two weeks ago. 🙂

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on January 28, 2021 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Donna. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Jet Eliot on January 28, 2021 at 11:51 am said:

I love watching purple martins, and your photo expresses well their busy nature, HJ. Although range maps often show them on the west coast, I have never seen them here, and have to rely on the common sightings of them in the east and midwest. Lovely photos, HJ.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on January 28, 2021 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Jet. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
sv-anui.com on January 28, 2021 at 3:10 pm said:

Love the purple martins coming back to the nest!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on January 28, 2021 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Chris. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
de Wets Wild on January 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm said:

What a shot that is of the purple martins, H.J! Wow!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on January 28, 2021 at 10:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, D. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
silviadeangelis40d on January 29, 2021 at 2:01 am said:

Splendide immagini come sempre, buongiorno,silvia

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on January 29, 2021 at 3:49 pm said:
  
  Grazie mille. Cara Silvia. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓

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