This species is one of the few ducks in North America, in which the males have a different winter and breeding plumage. Typically these diving ducks swim on the water\'s surface with their tails raised into the air. They feed underwater on insect larvae, other aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic vegetation. The nest is constructed of aquatic grass and reeds and placed at the base of tall reeds. Frequently females place their eggs in the nests of other duck, coot and rail species and become brood parasites.
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Primarily a marsh-inhabiting bird, this blackbird feeds on emerging aquatic insects during the summer. In the winter, large flocks move from often swampy night roosts to spend time foraging in agricultural fields, cow lots and other open areas for seeds. Each breeding male can have up to 14 females and nests on his territory depending on the abundance of food. The nest is woven from grass and sedge and placed in vegetation just above the water\s surface. The bright red epaulet of the male is used to advertise dominance and attract females.
Occupying open forested habitats of all types, the Brown-headed Cowbird is a common species. It is most famous because it does not make a nest. Instead the sneaky female cowbird stakes out the nest of a blackbird, warbler, flycatcher, vireo or any of a multitude of other species and lays an egg in the owner\'s nest while the parents are away. The host species then raises the young cowbird as one of their own, even though their own young may suffer malnutrition trying to compete with the faster-growing and larger cowbird parasite.