Bird
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensisAlso known as Glossy Cowbird, Short-Billed Cowbird
Shiny cowbird males display brilliant purplish-black iridescence, while females wear a muted greyish-brown plumage. As obligate brood parasites, females lay their eggs in the nests of over 250 other bird species, completely outsourcing egg incubation and chick rearing. Their remarkable adaptability and expansion into open agricultural landscapes have allowed them to colonize new territories rapidly.
Brood ParasiteIridescentSongbird
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyInsects, Plant seeds, Grains
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsTargeted eradication programs aimed at protecting vulnerable host species
HabitatsPastures, agricultural fields, scrubland, and forest edges
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyIcteridae
- GenusMolothrus
- SpeciesMolothrus bonariensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen closely: Listen for a high-pitched squeaky song mixed with liquid bubbling notes.
- Scan open fields: Watch lawns and pastures where small flocks forage together on the ground.
- Observe nests: Check songbird nests in spring to spot their speckled parasitic eggs.
Host Species (c) Esteban Poveda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Esteban Poveda · cc-by
Close Relative (c) cello caruso-turiello, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by cello caruso-turiello · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Adrianh M. Orozco, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adrianh M. Orozco · cc-by
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