Brown-Headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a passerine or near-passerine bird recorded by wildlife centers, aviaries, nest-monitoring programs, and field projects. Field identification usually centers on body size, bill shape, voice, seasonal plumage, wing bars, tail pattern, and the color differences between adults, juveniles, and sexes. Diet may include insects, fruit, nectar, seeds, or mixed foods, with nesting and migration timing often shaping care decisions.

In rehabilitation records, this label keeps brown-headed cowbird separate from broader catch-all categories and from domestic look-alikes. Track source, locality, life stage, permits when relevant, health findings, and the observed color form rather than forcing a generic entry; that keeps releases, transfers, husbandry notes, and future image prompts auditable for Brown-Headed Cowbird.