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Difference between revisions of "Brown-headed Cowbird" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Brown-headed_Cowbird.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by KC Foggin]]
 
[[Image:Brown-headed_Cowbird.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by KC Foggin]]
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
6-8" (15-20 cm).
+
15-20cm. '''Male''' - black plumage, glossy brown head.  '''Female''' - grey brown.
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*Finch-like bill
 
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====Male====
 
−
*Black
 
−
*Glossy brown head
 
−
====Female====
 
−
Plain gray brown
 
  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
Breeds from [[British Columbia]], central [[Saskatchewan]], central [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], and [[Newfoundland]] southward throughout [[United States]] except extreme Southeast and [[Florida]]. Winters in central and southern part of breeding range as well as in [[Florida]] and to southern [[Mexico]]. Accidental vagrant to the [[UK]] and [[Norway]].
+
[[British Columbia]], central [[Saskatchewan]], central [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], [[Newfoundland]] southward throughout [[United States]].
 +
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
Polytypic. Consists of four subspecies.  
 
Polytypic. Consists of four subspecies.  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
−
Agricultural land, fields, woodland edges, and suburban areas.
+
Farmland, foreste edges, suburbs.
−
==Behavior==
 
−
====Breeding====
 
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4 or 5 white eggs, lightly speckled with brown, laid one at a time in the nests of other songbirds.<br/>
 
  
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Cowbirds are brood parasites and promiscuous; no pair bond exists. In late spring the female cowbird and several suitors move into the woods. The males sit upright on treetops, uttering sharp whistles, while the female searches for nests in which to lay her eggs. Upon choosing a nest, she removes one egg of the host's clutch, and deposits one of her own in its place.<br/>
+
==Behaviour==
 +
Cowbirds are brood parasites; the female removes one egg from the host nest and lays one of her own.   4-5 white, brown speckled eggs are laid, one at a time.
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
−
===Song===
+
Song: A liquid, bubbly gurgle followed by an upslurred, high-pitched whistle (given during display).
−
A liquid, bubbly gurgle followed by an upslurred, high-pitched whistle (given during display).
+
 
−
===Call===
+
Call: ''check'' or a rattle.
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''check'' or a rattle.
+
 
 +
==References==
 +
eNature
  
−
==Discussion==
 
−
Unlike parasitic Old World cuckoos, which lay eggs closely resembling those of a host species, cowbirds lay eggs in the nests of more than 200 other species, most smaller than themselves. Some host species eject the unwanted egg, others lay down a new nest lining over it, but most rear the young cowbird as one of their own. The young cowbird grows quickly at the expense of the young of the host, pushing them out of the nest or taking most of the food.
 
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Molothrus+ater}}  
 
{{GSearch|Molothrus+ater}}  
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Molothrus]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Molothrus]]

Revision as of 15:49, 7 January 2009

Molothrus ater
Photo by KC Foggin

Identification

15-20cm. Male - black plumage, glossy brown head. Female - grey brown.

Distribution

British Columbia, central Saskatchewan, central Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland southward throughout United States.

Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of four subspecies.

Habitat

Farmland, foreste edges, suburbs.

Behaviour

Cowbirds are brood parasites; the female removes one egg from the host nest and lays one of her own. 4-5 white, brown speckled eggs are laid, one at a time.

Vocalisation

Song: A liquid, bubbly gurgle followed by an upslurred, high-pitched whistle (given during display).

Call: check or a rattle.

References

eNature

External Links

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