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Look for Brown-headed Cowbirds in fields, meadows, and lawns. During winter and migration, search through mixed-species blackbird flocks and look for the glossy black plumage and subtle brown head in males and the short, stout bill and unmarked brown of females.
Mar 14, 2011 · Brown-headed Cowbirds are smallish blackbirds, with a shorter tail and thicker head than most other blackbirds. The bill has a distinctive shape: it’s much shorter and thicker-based than other blackbirds', almost finch-like at first glance. In flight, look for the shorter tail.
Feb 21, 2024 · A male brown-headed cowbird has a black body and wings with a thick bill and short tail. The brown-headed cowbird is the most common brood parasite in North America. Both shiny and bronzed cowbirds, native to the American tropics and extending into some southern states, are also brood parasites.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is found across North America in the summer, and remain all year in states along the east coast and Gulf coast. These omnivorous birds congregate in large, noisy groups outside of human dwellings. Males are not above using shopping centers as a backdrop for their mating displays!
Dec 22, 2023 · The male Brown-headed Cowbird is a smallish songbird with a black body and a dark brown head. In certain lighting, its plumage shows glossy, dark blue highlights. It also has a short, finch-like bill, a fairly short tail, and black legs and feet.
6-8" (15-20 cm). Male glossy black, with contrasting brown head. Female confusing, plain dusty brown with dark, sparrowlike bill. Juvenile streaked at first.
The brown-headed cowbird is typical for an icterid in general shape, but is distinguished by its finch-like head and beak and smaller size. The adult male is iridescent black in color with a brown head.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a stocky blackbird with a fascinating approach to raising its young. Females forgo building nests and instead put all their energy into producing eggs, sometimes more than three dozen a summer.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is well known--and widely disliked--for its practice of laying eggs in the nests of other species. Males are black birds with dull brown heads. Adult males are shiny black, while first-year males are duller black.
May 4, 2024 · Brown-headed Cowbirds are small blackbirds with thicker heads and shorter tails. Their bills have a very distinct shape; they’re thicker at the base and much shorter. In flight, you can easily see their shorter tails. Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have a dark brown head and glossy black plumage.
