Nest-Searching Behavior in the Brown-Headed Cowbird

Abstract

Describes 3 distinct types of nest-searching behavior noted during field studies of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in Ontario, Canada, from 1970 to 1973. The 3 habitat-specific nest searching strategies were (a) cryptic, silent watching of nest-building hosts in semiopen habitats; (b) secretive searching by walking on the ground in dense woods; and (c) active, intentionally noisy searching in dense shrubbery along forest edges and garden hedges.