I’ve been counting birds for Project Feederwatch for 23 years now (the counting season runs from November to early April each year), but never have I been able to include a Brown-headed Cowbird on any of my counting lists. And never before have I seen one in the snow, but last week both happened.
We got a quick snowstorm that dumped 4-5 inches (that 70 degree day we enjoyed in February is but a memory). As the wind picked up and the flakes really started to fly, a huge mixed flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings and yes, Brown-headed Cowbirds descended on my feeders:
I shared the photo above on a local birding Facebook page and it made me laugh when a gentleman commented, “That is like all of the worst birds in the state on one feeder.”
Indeed.