Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783)
18990
Family: Passeriformes > Icteridae
Brown-headed Cowbird is a species that parasitises the nests of other birds in its North American breeding grounds. This Starling-sized bird was added to the British List because of an individual found on Islay, Argyll in April 1988.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Brown-headed Cowbird
BTO RECORDS
BTO RECORDS
Identification
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Argyll, 1988 |
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Brown-headed Cowbird, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
5-letter code: | Euring: 18990 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Effects of nest parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird on nesting success of the California gnatcatcher
- Lasers as nonlethal avian repellents
- Effects of Conservation Reserve Program field age on avian relative abundance, diversity, and productivity
Read more studies about Brown-headed Cowbird on Conservation Evidence >
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