Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) predominately used short-grazed grasslands for foraging. This preference of habitat is associated with the high invertebrate densities in these areas. Cowbird flock sizes were larger in grazed grasslands and in feedlots than in ungrazed grasslands. Cowbirds chose to feed near cattle (Bos taurus) without preference of grass height. Feedlots had the lowest density and biomass of invertebrates, and the highest peck rates due to the increased availability of hayseed and grain. Overall, cattle proved to be an important factor of the habitat impacting cowbird foraging behavior.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.