Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
ABPBXB7030
Common Name: 
Brown-headed Cowbird
Scientific Name: 
Molothrus ater
Google image search
Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Passeriformes
Family: 
Icteridae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

Non-game species
References: 
H129
Habitat
open areas
References: 
B004
H129
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.12 (B004); distribution expanding in NWT; Range extent visually estimated from range map (Canadian Wildlife Service – Prairie & Northern Region 2009. Bird distributions in Nunavut & the Northwest Territories: 2009 Review.)
Score: 
F
References: 
B004
H161_05
Winter Distribution Description: 
southern Canada to Central America

Number of Occurrences

Appear to be limited to human settlements in S. NWT; along the Mackenzie River as far north as Norman Wells (LA30; Over 50 observations in Dehcho, Sahtu, near YK (DD15: CWS) and many eBird sightings (W113 accessed January 25, 2015).; 31 May 1955, 1 male at Norman Wells, furthest north record at the time, CFN 70:144., 2 July 1958, 2 individuals in the Tulita area, CFN 79:37., Early record: 2 May 2002; 1 individual; Norman Wells; Dave Wilderspin; eBird 2012., Late record: 30 July 2007; 1 individual; Fort Simpson; Randy Schietzelt; eBird 2012. High count: 20 individuals; 30 May 2002; Fort Liard; Carl Savignac; eBird 2012.(NWT Bird checklist project)
Score: 
CD
References: 
LA20
W113
DD15

Historical Distribution

May have expanded NW into NWT
References: 
H129

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

Not enough data to generate population estimate (DD16 Accessed on <January 25, 2015)
References: 
LA01
DD16
Threats

Threats

References: 
H129

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Limited effects of climate change likely in next 10 yrs C = Not intrinsically vulnerable
Score: 
C
References: 
H129
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
distribution expanding in NWT, Northern edge of dist., declining population Nationaly
S Rank: 
S4
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as undetermined by Leslie Wakelyn and S. Carriere mostly based on printed material in 2000; Modified to secure in 2005 by Craig Machtans and L. Armer - based on printed material, observations in the NWT Bird Checklist Survey and some field research,; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by Emily Upham-Mills CWS in 2015, suggested change to undetermined, kept as secure (SC) based on rank calculator; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 19, 2020

References

Economic Status

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Canadian Wildlife Service (2005) NWT/NU Bird Checklist Survey database. Environment Canada / Canadian Wildlife Service Yellowknife http://www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca/nature/migratorybirds/nwtbcs/index.en.html - LA20 Return
  • Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada (2015) http://ebird.org/content/canada/ - W113 Return
  • CWS (2014) CWS Unpublished Data - DD15 Return

Population Size

Rich, T.D., Beardmore, C.J., Berlanga, H., Blancher, P.J., Bradstreet, M.S.W., Butcher, G.S., Demarest, D.W Dunn, E.H., Hunter, W.C., Inigo-Elias, E.E., Kennedy, J.A., Martell, A.M., Panjabi, A.O.,et al. (2004) Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan (janv-04). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithica, NY http://www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan/default.htm - LA01 Return
,
Partners in Flight Science Committee 2013. Population Estimates Database, version 2013. Available at http://rmbo.org/pifpopestimates. Accessed on <January 25, 2015>. (2013) http://rmbo.org/pifpopestimates - DD16 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Matchtans, C (2005) Bird ranking 2005 - working sheet. pers. Comm. By e-mail from V Johnstone 22 Nov. 2005 electronic references - H161_05 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return