ABSTRACT
78The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is one member of the blackbird family (Icteridae) subject to population management due to the damage it inflicts on agricultural crops (Figure 5.1) (U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015) and, more controversially, because it is an obligate avian brood parasite (Peer et al. 2013a). Brown-headed cowbirds (henceforth “cowbirds”) lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, which often raise fewer and in some cases none of their own young (Peer et al. 2013b). There are approximately 100 species of avian brood parasites, however, the cowbird is arguably the most vilified and one of the most maligned birds in North America by laypersons and scientists alike (Peer et al. 2013a, 2013b). This is in stark contrast to the most famous brood parasite, the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), which is revered and whose precipitous decline in Great Britain has generated concern (e.g., Douglas et al. 2010). Much of the vilification of the cowbird is based on misinformation about this species (Peer et al. 2013b). Cowbirds are no different than other “exploiters” in ecological communities such as hawks or snakes. Instead of appreciating the unique adaptations cowbirds have evolved for parasitism, most humans have a negative view of them because they do not care for their young. Much of the harm caused by cowbirds is actually a result of anthropogenic habitat degradation. Cowbirds have been in North America for at least 1 million years, thus any recent negative impact on hosts by cowbirds is due to human anthropogenic change to their habitats (Rothstein and Peer 2005).
