They are the Rodney Dangerfields of the avian world. For you youngsters, Rodney Dangerfield was a stand-up comic who’s seemingly ongoing rants were about him not getting respect from anybody, including his wife.
Anyway, I am talking about the two species of cowbirds that are found in our area here in the Concho Valley. They lie, cheat, steal, and do just about anything they can get away with. They especially lay their young in other species nests, so they will have surrogate mothers. So with all that, they wonder why they don’t get any respect from us.
However, after having said that, I feel that they, in their own right, are very attractive birds. I am a birder and a bird photographer. I present you with these images to see if you might agree with me. First up is the Brown-headed Cowbird. He (or she) has the worse reputation. I usually don’t even try to get good photos of one. (See, I don’t respect them either.) But I did relent in a weak moment and got this photo.
Brown-headed Cowbird
Now I must admit, that the other bird of the species, the Bronzed Cowbird might be my favorite of the two. They are difficult to photograph because of their dark colors, and so I love the challenge. I might even say that I think they are beautiful. I love those flashing bright eyes. I have a weakness for beautiful eyes. Let’s see what you think after looking at the next two photos.
Bronzed Cowbird
Bronzed Cowbird
I hope you enjoyed these photos. Let’s show a little respect and give a big hand to these ill-treated birds. Click on either of them to see some enlargements.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
I think the cuckoo and the cowbird do the same thing with their young. That is seriously smart of them!
You are so right, Shannon.
Hi Bob – I love this post andyour photos. And also your sense of humor. Great minds joke alike! Here’s my own post about what. I called the “Rodney Dangerfields of herons.”
http://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/our-guest-heron-du-jour-its-easy-being-green-green-heron-that-is/
Babs, it is amazing how you and I are so alike with our senses of humor, and also our favorite subjects i.e. the herons. I always try to look at the “sunny” side of everything. I read that post of yours, and enjoyed it again. Have a Merry Christmas. 🙂
Thanks Bob, I agree about our shared sensa humor, and I love your witty post titles! Merry Christmas to you and Ann. Best, Babsje
I agree with David! Those red eyes are amazing. It always makes me wonder what advantage it gives the bird, to have such jewel-like eyes. There’s so much we don’t know about nature! Wonderful photos, too. A very Happy Christmas to you and Ann, from myself and Colin.
Thank you so much, Jo, for your great comment. I agree, nature is an amazing thing. Merry Christmas to you, our dear friends in the United Kingdom. 🙂
Just like some humans I’ve seen 😉
I understand what you are saying. 🙂
Amazing Bob! I love the story behind these gorgeous, yet conniving birds! Who knew birds could be like that? Hope you and Anne have a wonderful Christmas!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Polly. Glad you liked the story. Lisa Rest recently commented that the birds do return to the nests in which they laid the eggs, to make sure they were being taken care of properly. How about that? Merry Christmas to you and yours, too. 🙂
Haha really? That’s amazing! At least they aren’t that mean!
If they aren’t careful, they are going to ruin their reputation for being mean. 🙂
Funny. Great pictures of often-ignored species. We get the Brown-Headed and I think they’re beautiful. Their survival strategy is really quite ingenious when you think about it.
Thank you, Lisa, for your great comment. It is greatly appreciated. You are right about how ingenious those birds are.
It’s not their fault that there are barely any buffalo herds left to follow… I was surprised to find out that the hen revisits the nests where she has laid her eggs to make sure they’re being taken care of!
I was surprised to hear that, Lisa. Thanks for the additional info. Merry Christmas. 🙂
I agree – they are beautiful – or at least you have shown their beauty in these gorgeous images. The brown-headed hang out around here in the summer. I find their particular habits quite fascinating – are they extremely intelligent to have figured out how to avoid the chores of child rearing, or just the most neglectful parents on the planet?
Merry Christmas, Bob. I hope you are enjoying the season.
Thank you so much, Cindy, for your delightful comment. I appreciate your compliments, and Merry Christmas to you, too. 🙂
Bob – You are right in that they are hard to photograph and you did a nice job of it.
Thanks, John, I really appreciate your comment, and thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🙂
Great images, Bob!
Happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours from North Norfolk!
Dina
God jul! 🙂
Thank you so much, Dina. Welcome to my blog. I appreciate you stopping by and hope you will do so again. 🙂
These are beautiful, Bob. I clicked for a closer look and the detail is amazing! I had seen the brown headed Cow bird before, but never the one with red eyes.
Thank you so much, Lynda, for your really nice comment. I appreciate you. 🙂
Great shots Bob! happy Holidays! 🙂
Thanks, H.J. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🙂
The eyes have it..we get the Brown Headed at our feeders certain times of the year..they can certainly devour the seed…i usually take my feeders down for the duration of their stay..usually doesnot last long. I agree the bronze is beautiful in color and kudos for your photos..
Thanks for your lovely comment, Syl. Have a Happy Christmas. 🙂
They have earned their reputation.I like how the upward sweep of the tail matches the wood in the first and the feathers and the eyes are pretty in the next two.
Thanks, Jane, for your comment and stopping by.
Great shots Bob! I’ve only seen the Brown Headed cowbird…and you’re right…the eyes have it!
Thanks, David, I like your comment. 🙂