This is a native American bird with an interesting history. It earned its name from its habit of sitting on a cow’s back, catching and eating insects. In times past, the  cowbird would move with the bison, out west along great areas, making it impossible to settle down and raise a family. Their survival strategy was to lay their eggs in nests built by other birds. They have been known to take out an egg and replace it with one of their own! This is called a brood parasite, as they rely upon others to raise their young. The cowbird is larger than its nest mates and will usually get more than its fair share of food from the parents. They thrive, often at the expense of the other chicks.

See the footage below of the Phoebe parents feeding the large and demanding cowbird chick a variety of insects, while their own babies get none. The cowbird is protected under the Native Migratory Bird act, which is but one reason not to interfere with nature.

Please read this article to find out why it’s not ok to to remove cowbird eggs.

Photo Credit: Missouri Department of Conservation