brownheaded cowbird (Molothrus ater)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 6.5 inches

• Short, conical bill

• Dark eyes

• Frequents open habitats

• When feeding on ground often cocks its tail

• Often found in large flocks in migration and winter

Adult male:

• Brown head

• Black body, wings and tail

Adult female:

• Grayish-brown plumage-darker on upperparts

• Underparts faintly streaked

• Throat pale

• Juvenile browner and streakier than adult female with pale edging on        wings

Similar species:

The brown-headed cowbird is smaller and shorter-tailed than blackbirds
and grackles and has a more conical bill. Bronzed cowbird is similar to
female brown-headed cowbird but has red eyes and is slightly larger
with a longer bill.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: Varies
Length of Incubation: 10-13 days
Days to Fledge: 10-11
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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