Brown-headed Cowbird Male Canvas Print

View Additional Comments

Hide Additional Comments

Post a Comment

Cowbirds earned their common name from the habit of following herds of buffalo (and cattle) in search of the insect prey that were flushed up by the large grazing mammals. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a stocky blackbird with a fascinating approach to raising its young. A female cowbird makes no nest of her own, but instead lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, who then raise the young cowbirds. Brown-headed Cowbird lay eggs in the nests of more than 220 species of birds. The majority of hosts don’t recognize cowbird eggs at all. Cowbird eggs hatch faster than other species eggs, giving cowbird nestlings a head start in getting food from the parents. Young cowbirds also develop at a faster pace than their nest mates, and they sometimes toss out eggs and young nestlings or smother them in the bottom of the nest. The Brown-headed Cowbird is North America’s most common “brood parasite.” Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have glossy black plumage and a rich brown head. Captured...

First of all, thank you for stopping by. Have a look around. I hope you enjoy viewing my images, and I hope that my passion for photography shows through in what you see. Photography has been a big part of my life for many years, and as I get older, it is becoming more so. Living in Massachusetts since 2002, I've been enjoying the opportunity to photograph local wildlife. I love bird watching, going on hikes and appreciating nature that is all around me. I have become somewhat obsessed, taking photos nearly every day and always bringing my camera when walking around the neighborhood or traveling. My favorite local place for taking pictures is Wellesley College. I take great pleasure in traveling and have a special fondness for the...