Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Summary 6

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small brood parasitic icterid of temperate to 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.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Alan Vernon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanvernon/7353115696/
  2. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7457894@N04/2344931549
  3. (c) Len Blumin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/13931711599/
  4. (c) Rick Leche - Photography, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/rick_leche/470392242/
  5. (c) Dawn Beattie, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/pics4dawn/9324308964/
  6. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molothrus_ater

More Info

iNat Map

B - size small (5-9 inches)
C -primary colors black
E -underparts black
F - upperparts black
G - back pattern solid
H - belly pattern solid
I - breast pattern solid
J - bill shape cone
K - eye color brown
L - head pattern plain
M - crown color brown
N - forehead color brown
O - nape color brown
P - throat color brown
Q - wing shape pointed
R - tail shape fan
S - upper tail black
T - under tail black
U - leg color black
A - present fall, spring, summer, winter
D - breeds here yes