Brown-headed Cowbird Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Brown-headed Cowbirds are smallish blackbirds, with a shorter tail and thicker head than most other blackbirds. The bill has a distinctive shape: it’s much shorter and thicker-based than other blackbirds', almost finch-like at first glance. In flight, look for the shorter tail.

  Relative Size

  Slightly smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird

  between sparrow and robin

  Measurements

  • Male
  • • Length: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)
    • Weight: 1.5-1.8 oz (42-50 g)
    • Wingspan: 14.2 in (36 cm)
  • Female
  • • Length: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)
    • Weight: 1.3-1.6 oz (38-45 g)
    • Wingspan: 12.6-15.0 in (32-38 cm)

  © Arlene Ripley / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have glossy black plumage and a rich brown head that often looks black in poor lighting or at distance. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are plain brown birds, lightest on the head and underparts, with fine streaking on the belly and a dark eye.

• Behavior

  Brown-headed Cowbirds feed on the ground in mixed-species groups of blackbirds and starlings. Males gather on lawns to strut and display for mates. Females prowl woodlands and edges in search of nests. Brown-headed Cowbirds are noisy, making a multitude of clicks, whistles and chatter-like calls in addition to a flowing, gurgling song.
• Habitat

  You’ll find Brown-headed Cowbirds in many open habitats, such as fields, pastures, meadows, forest edges, and lawns. When not displaying or feeding on the ground, they often perch high on prominent tree branches.