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Archives » Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

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Cowbirds and Yellow Warblers

Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests. And these birds raise the cowbird chicks - often at the expense of their own young. This beautiful Yellow Warbler is a frequent target of the cowbird's unwelcome eggs. But it has developed a way to reject the role of foster parent. When... read more »

RELATED
Topics & Themes:  nesting
Related bird:  Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Cowbird Song and Password

As most young male birds get ready to leave the nest, they learn their species’ song by hearing their male parent sing it again and again. They imprint on their father’s song. So how does a Brown-headed Cowbird, raised by parents of a different species, learn to sing the correct song? The ... read more »

RELATED
Topics & Themes:  nesting, vocalization
Related bird:  Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
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Related video: 
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Chickadee Feeds Cowbird Fledgling!

Chickadee Feeds Cowbird Fledgling!

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Chickadee feeding a fledgling cowbird

Here a fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird begs for food from a chickadee on a birdfeeder. Cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning that they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, who raise it as their own! read more »
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Brown-headed Cowbird.

Brown-headed Cowbird.

Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties. In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks, or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or webcam gallery for more.

Male Brown-headed Cowbird Singing

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Mr and Mrs Brown-headed Cowbird

Mr and Mrs Brown-headed Cowbird

Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties. In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks, or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or webcam gallery for more.

Pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds at Feeder

A good look at adult male and female Brown-headed Cowbird side by side at a birdfeeder. read more »
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Birdcam 6-28-14 Female Brown-headed Cowbird Vocalizing

Birdcam 6-28-14 Female Brown-headed Cowbird Vocalizing

Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties. In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks, or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or webcam gallery for more.

Female Brown-headed Cowbird Vocalizing

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Brood parasitism: American Robin rejects a Cowbird egg

Brood parasitism: American Robin rejects a Cowbird egg

Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties. In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks, or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or webcam gallery for more.

American Robin Rejects a Cowbird Egg

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