Midwest · Mississippi Flyway

Brown-headed Cowbird in Minnesota

Molothrus ater — Icteridae

CommonAbundance
Summer breederSeasonal status
8Active months

About Brown-headed Cowbird in Minnesota

Brown-headed Cowbird is a North American backyard bird.

In Minnesota, this species is classified as common. It visits during the breeding season, typically spring through summer. The best months to observe this bird are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Peak activity occurs in April, May, June, July, August, September.

Monthly Activity — Brown-headed Cowbird in Minnesota

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

FamilyIcteridae
View full Brown-headed Cowbird profile →

Best Time to See Brown-headed Cowbird in Minnesota

January
Low
February
Low
March
Active
April
Peak
May
Peak
June
Peak
July
Peak
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Active
November
Low
December
Low

Other birds in Minnesota

Birds you might also encounter in Minnesota.

Brown-headed Cowbird in other states

Brown-headed Cowbird in Minnesota: Quick Facts

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a common bird in Minnesota. It is classified as a summer breeder in the state, falling within the Midwest region and the Mississippi Flyway migration corridor.

The best months to spot this species in Minnesota are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. For birders in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota, knowing the seasonal patterns of Brown-headed Cowbird can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.

Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Minnesota using the related birds section.