How do Cowbirds become Cowbirds?
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Jul 26, 2009 | by Adrian Binns
A male and two immature (male?) Brown-headed Cowbirds
It been at least a month since I last heard Brown-headed Cowbirds begging for food from their hosts. In these four or so weeks, an immature cowbird is no longer dependent upon its host parent, and has now learnt to find its own food and fend for itself. Today I watched a mixed aged group of as many as 8 cowbirds associating together as they roamed the mowed lawn in search of food. The lone adult was a male, and were all those juveniles, males as well? Maybe.
There is some debate as to whether young cowbirds raised by a host parent can become familiar with an adult cowbird hanging about the same area as they are reared. Could it be that the adult cowbird is its parent and actually keeping an eye on the youngster? Maybe.
Immature male Brown-headed Cowbird, just beginning to attain dark head feathers
These immature cowbirds are now at the age where they, along with other cowbird offspring, band together along with adults to look for food – something most all ‘blackbirds’ do during the non breeding months. It is also at this time that they likely begin to learn how to become ‘a cowbird’ from an adult member of the same sex. This would include vocalizations, that we will hear next spring, and eventually courtship displays to attract a female.
all photos © adrian binns