Brown-headed Cowbird ..... ( Molothrus ater )
 Brown-headed Cowbird ... Male
Harvey Kirsch ... © 2007 DigiPixels_Image  Brown-headed Cowbird ... Female
Harvey Kirsch ... © 2007 DigiPixels_Image    |
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a member of the Blackbird Family. It got it's name for its constant presence with Cattle. They ride on the backs of the host cleaning the insects off their backs; much like what we see in photos of birds on Elephants or Hippos. Nature lovers dislike them because it is the Grand Thief among birds. Brown-headed Cowbirds never raise their young. The female lays her eggs in another birds nest and lets them raise the young. The larger cowbird young take all the food while the other smaller less developed young cannot compete and often die. When ready the cowbird young leave the nest and some how re-unite with their Cowbird Family.
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