Brown-headed Cowbird

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 6.5 inches
* Short, conical bill
* Dark eyes
* Frequents open habitats
* When feeding on ground often cocks its tail
* Often found in large flocks in migration and winter

Adult male:

* Brown head
* Black body, wings and tail

Adult female:

* Grayish-brown plumage-darker on upperparts
* Underparts faintly streaked
* Throat pale
* Juvenile browner and streakier than adult female with pale edging on wings

Similar species:

The Brown-headed Cowbird is smaller and shorter-tailed than blackbirds and grackles and has a more conical bill. Bronzed Cowbird is similar to female Brown-headed Cowbird but has red eyes and is slightly larger with a longer bill.