Brown-headed Cowbird vs Shiny Cowbird: How to Tell Them Apart

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

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The brown-headed cowbird is typical for an icterid in general shape, but is distinguished by its finch-like head and beak and smaller size. The adult male is iridescent black in color with a brown head. The adult female is slightly smaller and is dull grey with a pale throat and very fine streaking on the underparts. Their total length is 16–22 cm (6.3–8.7 in) and the average wingspan is 36 cm (14 in). Body mass can range from 30–60 g (1.1–2.1 oz), with females averaging 38.8 g (1.37 oz) against the males' average of 49 g (1.7 oz).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · Bancroft Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bear golden retriever from Auburn, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0

Shiny Cowbird

Molothrus bonariensis

Small41 gWoodland

The physical appearance of the shiny cowbird adult depends on the subspecies. Sizes range from 31–40 grams (1.1–1.4 oz) in mass and 18 cm (7.1 in) in length (M. b. minimus), to 55–65 grams (1.9–2.3 oz) in mass and 22 cm (8.7 in) in length (M. b. cabanisii). Basic adult plumage for M. b. bonariensis is black with purple-blue iridescence for males, and dusty gray-brown for females. M. b. cabanisii males have plumage similar to M. b. bonariensis, while females are paler in colouration. M. b. aequatorialis males have violet iridescence and females are dark in colour. M. b.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Gabriele Magurno · Song · Ezeiza, Ezeiza Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daniel Talevi · Public domain

Where you might meet both

United States Mexico Bahamas Cuba

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brown-headed Cowbird and Shiny Cowbird.