Brown-headed Cowbird

Though the cowbird part of their name may require a little explanation [1], the brown-headed part of their name is immediately evident, at least among mature male Brown-headed Cowbirds. (Females have the same basic shape but are more of an earth-toned gray.)

Their habit of brood parasitism makes them reviled by some; it just doesn't seem right to trick other birds into raising your kids, especially to the detriment of the other birds' own kids. But it's worth remembering that nature does a lot of immoral stuff, whether it's cannibalism, killing for non-food reasons, and of course regular parasites that plague most of the plant/animal/fungi species out there. (Believe me, you don't have the time/energy to be a Nature Cop policing all of the environment's injustices.)

May 13, 2023 at Duke Farms
Photo 282423018, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] They are frequently seen near cattle, inspiring the cowbird name. There was a theory that they used to follow bison around eating manure-loving insects, and that that's why they developed their habit of obligate brood parasitism. Basically they had to keep moving with the bison for food and couldn't stay in 1 place to raise young. I think this theory is falling out of favor.

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