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Species authority page

Brown-headed cowbird

Molothrus ater · Unprotected and nuisance birds

Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater): Male: glossy black with a contrasting brown head. Female: plain dusty brown with a dark, sparrowlike bill. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the brown-headed cowbird map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Brown-headed cowbird — verified North Ground species photograph
Adobe Stock · Standard License (asset 217310044)
Scientific name
Molothrus ater
Family
Icteridae
In North America
Native
Range
Breeds from southeast Alaska, northern British Columbia and southern Mackenzie to Newfoundland, south to central Mexico, the Gulf Coast and southern Florida; winters from the northern U.S. south.
Biology

How to identify it

Male: glossy black with a contrasting brown head. [1][2]

Female: plain dusty brown with a dark, sparrowlike bill. [1][2]

Juvenile streaked at first. [1][2]

Male 19-22 cm, female 15-20 cm. [1][2]

Field knowledge

Where it lives

Open or semi-open country year-round: farms, fields, prairies, wood edges and river groves; in winter concentrates in farmland, pastures and feedlots. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Forages mostly walking on the ground, often with cattle or horses catching flushed insects; originally associated with bison herds [1][2]

Seeds are about half of the summer diet and over 90% in winter; the rest mostly insects [1][2]

Migrants may begin leaving nesting areas by July or August; present all year in many southern areas [1][2]

Squeaky gurgle; call is a check or rattle [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for removal or nuisance take

These authorities list this species as nuisance, invasive or unprotected wildlife that may be taken. This is not a game season.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Breeds from southeast Alaska, northern British Columbia and southern Mackenzie to Newfoundland, south to central Mexico, the Gulf Coast and southern Florida; winters from the northern U.S. south.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30

    National Audubon Society

  2. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe