Brown-headed Cowbird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — If there were an award for the least colorful bird in North America, surely the female of the Brown-headed Cowbird would be a contender. I won’t say it is the least attractive bird I have ever seen, but from any distance at all, the bird looks dull gray on gray, relieved only by the heavy black beak and big black eye. If it were any more dull it would disappear all together. If you look closely at these photos you will see that there is a subtle pattern under (or behind, or within) the gray, that is at least more interesting. And of course, the feather detail is also worth a look. Thing is, being a cowbird…messy, aggressive, feeder-hog that it is…and a known nest (or brood) parasite to birds that are easier to love, we might be just a bit prejudiced in judging its looks or attractiveness. Brood parasites, like the Brown-headed Cowbird, lay their eggs in other birds nests (in this case many warblers) and the larger and more aggressive BHCB chick hogs all the food that is intended of the true nestlings, to their detriment, and, often, demise. Not an easy bird to appreciate. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm from my backyard photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.