Dominic Posey, age 12, of Marion, Ohio, for his question:

HOW DID THE COWBIRD RECEIVE ITS NAME?

Cowbird is the common name of a number of small birds in the blackbird family. The bird received its name because it can often be found near cattle. The bird will eat insects located either on the cow or bull's back or head or insects stirred up by the cattle.

Most of the types of cowbirds can be found in the United States. The most common type is called the eastern cowbird.

A male cowbird measures about eight inches in length and has black body feathers, with a brown head and neck. The female is grayish brown. One variety, the tangavius, which is found in Texas, has reddish black feathers and a red iris in the eye.

A cattlebird will build no nest but will lay its eggs in the nests of other birds.