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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater) B/M |
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RANGE: Breeds from southeastern Alaska, northern British
Columbia, and southern Mackenzie east to southern Quebec and
southern Newfoundland, and south to Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and
central Florida. Winters from northern California, central
Arizona, the Great Lakes region, and New England south to
Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida.
STATUS: Common.
HABITAT: Prefers habitats where low or scattered trees are
interspersed with grassland vegetation. Originally occupied open
grasslands and avoided unbroken forestlands, but due to
agriculture, cattle grazing, and deforestation, occupies a much
expanded range. Now found in open coniferous and deciduous
woodlands, forest edges, brushy thickets, agricultural land, and
suburban areas.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Habitats with open grassy spaces.
Strongest nesting habitat associations in (1) Aspen
groves, (2) Salt desert scrub shrubland, (3) Coastal headland
grass and shrubland, (4) Urban and residential areas, (5) Edges
of cropland, pasture and orchard, (6) Western riverine
woodland, and (7)Streamside wetland and shrubland.
NEST: Builds no nest; lays its eggs in the nests of over 100
species of birds, particularly tyrant flycatchers, finches,
vireos, and warblers.
FOOD: Gleans weed seeds, which form over half of the diet, as
well as grass seeds, waste grain, and insects from the ground.
Commonly forages in pastures searching for insects stirred up by
cattle.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Beal 1900, Bent 1958, DeGraff et
al. 1980, Forbush and May 1955, Johnsgard 1979, Marshall et al.
2003, Mayfield 1965, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004. |
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