Species Account: The Brown-Headed Cowbird
To control or not to control? The brown-headed cowbird is native to North America and used to follow herds of bison as they traveled across the plains. Perfectly adapted to this nomadic life, they parasitize the nests of other birds who have the time to raise broods. As bison populations declined and livestock was introduced, cowbirds expanded their range dramatically. They prefer the open areas near forests which man-made development tends to produce. Especially if livestock is nearby. The habitat near our house is perfect: open grassland, semi-rural and plenty of livestock. Ironically, we even have a bison farm not too far away. So it should have been of little surprise when a flock of cowbirds discovered our feeders at the beginning of spring.
They aren’t the most attractive birds and they can go through the seed! Fortunately, they seem to prefer the cheaper millet which we provide in our homemade ground feeder seen in the picture. We tried dissuading them by not offering millet for awhile, but they just switched to eating the sunflower seeds and chasing our woodpeckers away from the suet. So we relented. And fed them.
This gave us an unexpected pleasure. Their song is a wonderful gurgle which reminds me of a babbling brook. You can listen to it here. I had never heard it before this spring.
While cowbirds can have an effect on local birds, it is not usually dramatic and their population is declining nationwide. There are feeders designed to deter larger birds which can also effectively control the number of cowbirds which frequent your feeder. Or you can offer them some millet on the ground and enjoy their beautiful song.
cowbird, backyard birding, birdwatching, birding
June 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Dana!
I love your bird posts! We’ve started Jeannie’s Flying Creature book and your posts are right up my alley. They are so interesting (all that history!).
Blessings,
Melissa
June 6th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Thanks! I haven’t seen Jeannie’s books yet (I’m probably the only homeschooler who hasn’t!), but people keep recommending them.
July 29th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
[...] outside the nest. They get shoved out for a variety of reasons. A parasitic species such as the brown-headed cowbird may have laid an egg in the nest. If this is the case, the invading bird will push whatever eggs or [...]
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Just imagine being reincarnated as a bird and getting even with those who have dumped on you for so long you could dump on them