# Brown-headed Cowbird

*Molothrus ater*

They are obligate brood parasites, laying eggs in the nests of over 220 other bird species, often outcompeting the host's own chicks.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Icteridae › Molothrus
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Open grasslands, forest edges, pastures, and suburban lawns.
- **Diet:** Seeds, grains, and various insects such as grasshoppers and beetles.
- **Range:** North America, Southern Canada, United States, Mexico
- **Size:** 19-22 cm length; wingspan of 32-38 cm
- **Lifespan:** Up to 9-12 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Pesticide reduction of food sources and loss of grassland habitat.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless to humans. These birds are common in backyard feeders and pastures. Observe from a distance to enjoy their complex songs; no special precautions are needed.

## About

The brown-headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) is a small obligate brood parasitic icterid of temperate to subtropical North America. They are permanent residents in the southern parts of their range; northern birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico in winter, returning to their summer habitat around March or April.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/80dbdcac-e72e-4952-b436-724b6b18bf39
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/10373
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molothrus ater
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/656878277/medium.jpg (cello caruso-turiello, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.