Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small, brood parasitic bird native to North America, known for its unique reproductive strategy of laying eggs in the nests of other bird species. This adaptable bird migrates to the southern United States and Mexico during winter, thriving on a diet of seeds and insects.
| 🇫🇷 | Vacher à tête brune |
| 🇩🇪 | Braunkopf-Kuhstärling |
| 🇲🇽 | Tordo cabecicafé |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
How to Identify
Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are entirely brown, featuring a rounded head, dark eyes, and a strong, conical bill. In contrast, males exhibit a striking black body with a distinct brown head.
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Characteristics
| Length | 16-22cm |
| Weight | 30-60g |
| Wingspan | 36cm |
| Clutch Size | 1-7 eggs |
| Incubation | 10-12 days |
| Fledging | 8-13 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
I have observed this bird species on two occasions. The first sighting was of a male at Technoparc Montreal, and the second was in Boisé des Douze, Saint Hyacinthe. Despite its presence, the Brown-headed Cowbird is often overlooked due to its unremarkable appearance.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | - |
| Parc des Étangs Antoine-Charlebois | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.