A female cow is called a cow. However, there are some distinctions based on age and reproductive status. Females who havent given birth to offspring (calves) are called heifers. Mature females who have given birth to at least one calf are known as cows. A young female before she has had a calf of her own and is under three years of age is called a heifer. A young female that has had only one calf is occasionally called a first-calf heifer. Young cattle of both sexes are called calves until they are weaned, then weaners until they are a year old in some areas; in other areas, particularly with male beef cattle, they may be known as feeder-calves or simply feeders. The term "cattle" is the generic term for the animal.