Brown-headed Cowbird Watching in Oregon

The Brown-headed Cowbird is common through most of North America, and while some live year round near the Oregon coast, most only spend their summer breeding months in the state. This bird is famous for being a brood parasite, meaning the female doesn't build a nest of her own, but will instead lay dozens of eggs in nests of other species with the hopes that some survive with their unsuspecting foster parents. Usually around 7 inches at maturity, the male Brown-headed Cowbird has a mostly black body and a brown head, while the female is primarily brown all over. They feed mostly on seeds and grains, but also do eat insects, and females eat snail and egg shells in order to accumulate enough calcium to lay so many eggs each year.

Habitats for Brown-headed Cowbirds

Brown-headed Cowbirds prefer open meadows to forests, though sometimes they'll live near the edge of woodlands. Look for them in fields, orchards, and backyards, among many other places. They are commonly found in the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge during spring and summer.

Best seasons to see Brown-headed Cowbirds in Oregon

Along the Oregon coast you can find these birds all year long, but in the rest of the state they are mostly found from spring through fall. They usually arrive in late March or April, and begin heading south again in October.

Brown-headed Cowbirds in Oregon summary

Typical habitat: Open grasslands and pastures
Seasons: All year round near the coast, summer inland
Abundance: Common in the right habitat

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