Brown-headed Cowbird

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is in the New World Blackbirds and Orioles family (Icteridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 79,477 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Brown-headed Cowbird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Brown-headed Cowbird

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.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Brown-headed Cowbird by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus

Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula

Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula

Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus

Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus major

Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ