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Birds
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
Authorship: (Boddaert)
Notes
It is common around IMRS HQ during summer months (J.D. Johnson, UTEP).
Records
It was observed during July 2000 at IMRS HQ by S. Cutler (UTEP), and 2–3 May 1992 on IMRS by T. Hibbits.
Taxonomic Classification
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
SubphylumVERTEBRATA (Vertebrates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPASSERIFORMES
FamilyICTERIDAE (Blackbird, Cowbird, Meadowlark, and Oriole Family)
GenusMolothrus
Speciesater
Recent Observations
Sourced from iNaturalist
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)IMRS
IMRS
IMRSkevinfloydApr 26, 2026Hudspeth County, TX, USA
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)IMRScrot_arocApr 25, 2021Hudspeth County, TX, USA
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)eddanielsOct 26, 2026Killen, AL 35645, USA
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)sirnapsalotOct 2, 2026New York
Tordo Cabeza Café (opens in new tab)ehecatlhelodermOct 24, 2026Caltengo, Tlaxinacalpan, 42855 Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, Hgo., México
Tordo Cabeza Café (opens in new tab)ehecatlhelodermOct 24, 2026Caltengo, Tlaxinacalpan, 42855 Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, Hgo., México
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)sylbirdOct 24, 2026Sumner County, KS, USA
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)pbr2Oct 7, 2026Estr. Transpantaneira, Km 10 - Zona Rural, Poconé - MT, 78175-000, Brazil
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)mmccarthy15Oct 25, 2026Dover, MA 02030, USA
Brown-headed Cowbird (opens in new tab)cglodyOct 25, 2026Cumberland Ave, West Lafayette, IN, US
Conservation assessments from the following sources:
- NatureServe Explorer
- IUCN Red List
- Texas Parks & Wildlife — Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
| IUCN Red List | LCLeast Concern |
|---|---|
| NatureServe Global (opens in new tab) | G5Secure |
| NatureServe (Texas) (opens in new tab) | S5BSecure |
| Texas SGCN | Not assessed |
Theses, papers, and notes featuring this species.