cowbird
Nest-hijacking blackbird
A cowbird is a North American blackbird known for laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the unwitting hosts to raise its young.
This reproductive strategy, called brood parasitism, allows cowbirds to produce many more offspring than if they built their own nests.
The name derives from their habit of following cattle and other livestock to feed on insects stirred up by grazing animals.
Dark-plumaged thrush species
- grackleIridescent American songbird
- orioleVivid-plumed passerine
- meadowlarkGround-nesting prairie songbird
- bobolinkNorth American meadow songbird
Hatchlings as a group
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
beak · wings · flock · migrate · passerine · songbird · forage · plumage
One receiving guests
- cuckooBrood parasite bird
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- freeloaderOne exploiting others' generosity
parasitize · dependency · displacement · manipulation · warbler · sparrow
blackbird
Dark-plumaged thrush species
- grackleIridescent American songbird
- orioleVivid-plumed passerine
- meadowlarkGround-nesting prairie songbird
brood
Hatchlings as a group
feathers · beak · wings · flock · migrate · passerine · songbird · forage · plumage · roost
host
One receiving guests
- cuckooBrood parasite bird
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
freeloader · parasitize · dependency · displacement · manipulation · warbler · sparrow
bison
Large wild ox
buffalo · insects · foraging · hoofed · following · flushing · commensalism · horses · oxen · rangelands
barnyard
Farm's animal enclosure
- farmlandAgricultural terrain
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- meadowGrassy field for grazing
ranch · fence · cropland · hayfield · prairie · feedlot · dairy · corral · pastoral · countryside
- bird parasitesgapeworm, blackhead, eyeworms, ectoparasites, endoparasites
- brood parasitescuckoo, honeyguide, whydah
- Icteridsred-winged blackbird, Baltimore oriole, western meadowlark, bobolink, meadowlark
- birdsrobin, crow, eagle, owl, duck
- backyard birdingbirdbath, birdhouse, robin, cardinal, blue jay
- insect eatersanteater, giant anteater, aardvark, pangolin, echidna
cowbirdweaverbird
Bird building woven nests
emperor penguin · albatross · robin · swallow · hummingbird
cowbirdhost species
Organism supporting a parasite
foster parent · yellow warbler · red-winged blackbird · warbler · sparrow