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Icteridae · bird profile

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a member of the Icteridae family in the order Passeriformes. This taxonomic profile follows the American Ornithological Society checklist; local abundance and seasonality should be confirmed with current regional observations.

Brown-headed Cowbird by state: eBird records

Across the nine states with eBird occurrence data on this site (records from 2020–2024), the Brown-headed Cowbird is reported most often in Texas, where it ranks #38 among all species with 235,616 records.

TexasSummer visitor235,616 records · #38 in stateActive February–JulyCaliforniaSummer visitor204,801 recordsActive April–JulyMichiganSummer visitor177,421 records · #29 in stateActive March–JulyArizonaSummer visitor111,614 records · #52 in stateActive April–AugustOregonSummer visitor91,630 records · #59 in stateActive April–JulyColoradoSummer visitor86,153 records · #60 in stateActive May–JulyTennesseeSummer visitor81,698 records · #31 in stateActive February–JulyFloridaYear-round79,168 recordsRhode IslandMigration16,400 records · #42 in stateActive March–June

Which states have Brown-headed Cowbirds?

Found regularly in these states, from 2020–2024 eBird records. Each state guide lists its other backyard birds by month.

CaliforniaOregonArizonaColoradoIllinoisMichiganTexasFloridaTennesseeRhode Island