Brown-headed Cowbird (fledgling) – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5-16-23

Observation Time: 7:30 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird (fledgling)

Scientific Name: Molothrus ater

Comments: Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize other bird species. Female Cowbirds forgo building nests and instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, abandoning their young to foster parents, usually at the expense of at least some of the host’s own chicks. This begging fledgling had left the nest, but was still being fed by its surrogate parent – a phoebe.

More Information: All About Birds.org