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Wilson's Phalarope shouts orders
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Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Molothrus ater

Related Shows

Brown-headed Cowbird perched on branch, feathers shining in the sunshine

Spark Bird: Diana Sudyka's First Bird ID

February 17, 2021 When illustrator Diana Sudyka was in second grade, she was given a Peterson’s Bird Field Guide. She still remembers making her first bird ID — a Brown-headed Cowbird. Even years later, Sudyka’s love of birds has stuck with her. She recently illustrated the children’s book, How to Find a

Cowbird Song and Password

August 3, 2017 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
Yellow Warbler on nest

Cowbirds and Yellow Warblers

June 15, 2013 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

Sights & Sounds

Birds connect us with the joy and wonder of nature. By telling vivid, sound-rich stories about birds and the challenges they face, BirdNote inspires listeners to care about the natural world – and take steps to protect it.

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