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Brown-headed Cowbirds evoke strong feelings in many birders, some of whom can’t abide a bird that lays its eggs in other birds’ nests, often to the detriment of the nest owners’ offspring. But there is much to like about cowbirds.  Though the female is bland the male is quite snappy with his glossy black body [...]

This weekend while I was exploring the Shawangunk Grasslands in Ulster County, New York, with my parents (more on that later) we came across a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird that was positively begging to be photographed.  Actually, it wasn’t begging at all, which is a good thing, as I hate seeing these greedy little monsters begging [...]

The second Sunday in May is the day many countries around the world, including the United States, set aside for the celebration of mothers. Since most of our moms tend to indulge us every other day of the year, it is only right that at least one day is for the moms! So, even if [...]

Sometimes an easy bird can become difficult to identify.  Such was the case with the molting bird below, a species that has crossed my path hundreds of times.  It is an icterid, a family that includes blackbirds, grackles, orioles, cowbirds and meadowlarks, but beyond that I was temporarily stumped.  My birding partner for the day, [...]