Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

COWBIRD.

495. Molothrus ater. 7½ inches.

It is to be found throughout the United States and the southern portion of Canada. They are the only birds which we have that neither make a nest of their own nor care for their young. They will deposit a single egg (sometimes two) in the nest of some other bird, usually of a smaller variety.