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Brown-headed Cowbird
Malodorous ater
The Brown-headed Cowbird (Malodorous ater) is widespread across most of North America. It feeds on seeds as well as insects which are stirred up by grazing cattle, thus the common name of cowbird. This species is a nest parasite which means the female lays her eggs in the nests of other birds and thus the cowbird does not raise its own young. This was an excellent strategy hundreds of years ago when this species was known to follow the American Bison during that animal's migration. By laying its eggs in other birds' nest the cowbird could remain with the bison heards and not have to stay behind to raise young. In modern times, however, man has cleared more and more land thus creating grazing lands for cattle where there used to be forest. Cowbirds have increased their numbers to the extent that they are a true threat to many native American species. At times it seems as if certain warblers and vireos are only raising young cowbirds instead of their own offspring. The first three images of a male Brown-headed Cowbird on a Prickly Pear Cactus were taken in May, 1996, in Kinney Co., Texas, with a Canon T-90 on Fuji Provia film.
The next two shots at right of a female Brown-headed Cowbird are digital captures in May, 2006, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender in Hidalgo Co., Texas.
The image at right of another female was shot in Kenedy Co., Texas in April, 2002, with a Canon EOS 1V and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens on Fuji Velvia.
The shot of a male here was taken in Lipscomb Co., Texas, in April, 2007, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens.
The female Brown-headed Cowbird in the next two shots was at Bear River N.W.R., Box Elder Co., Utah, in June, 2007. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The female Brown-headed Cowbird shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2008. This shot was taken with the same gear as the two shots just above.
The male in the next two shots was at Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co., Texas, in May, 2010. These shots were taken with with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens.
The next four shots of Brown-headed Cowbird (two images of a male and two images of a female) were taken near Laredo, Webb Co., Texas, in February, 2011.