#molothrus

[herpsandbirds]

Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus), 2 males having an intense discussion, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Mesa, AZ, USA

photograph by Dave Lehneman

[best-bird-tournament]

Cowbird (Molothrus)

Which is the best bird?

Screaming cowbird

Giant cowbird

Shiny cowbird

Bronzed cowbird

Brown-headed cowbird

Voting ended onMay 23, 2025

[wildflowers-of-southern-ontario]

Brown-Headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Icteridae

Photograph taken on June 20, 2021, at Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

[dendroica]

Brown-headed Cowbirds courting (by me)

[that-crazy-scorpio-man]

Male brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) looking for some eats.

[herpsandbirds]

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Brooklyn, NYC, NY, USA

photograph by Rhododendrites

[herpsandbirds]

could we get some love for brown-headed cowbirds? i know they get a bad rep for being brood parasites but every time i see one i remember how excited i was to successfully identify one on my first birding walk + i think they’re truly beautiful

A lot of people have a visceral and negative response to brood parasites (as do i tbh), but this is a delightful little bird.

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, WI, USA

photograph by Jack and Holly Bartholmai

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, MI, USA

photograph by Andrew Simon

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), male calling and displaying to female, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, MI, USA

photograph by Andrew Simon

Brown-headed Cowbirds - NestWatch

Brown-headed Cowbirds are native to North America, and have a unique nesting behavior known as brood parasitism. Learn all about the ecology

[herpsandbirds]

Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Chiapas, México

photograph by Azucena Guerra