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WoodlandSmall · 41 g
What the Shiny Cowbird sounds like
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Shiny Cowbird
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Shiny Cowbird
The map shades 37 countries with regular records, and 5 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Caribbean Netherlands, Falkland Islands, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Nicaragua.
About the Shiny Cowbird
The shiny cowbird is a passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae. It breeds in most of South America except for dense forests and areas of high altitude such as mountains. Since 1900 the shiny cowbird's range has shifted northward, and it was recorded in the Caribbean islands as well as the United States, where it is found breeding in southern Florida. It is a bird associated with open habitats, including disturbed land from agriculture and deforestation.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Bronzed CowbirdMolothrus aeneusThe male bronzed cowbird is 20 cm (7.9 in) long and weighs 68 g (2.4 oz), with green-bronze, gloss-black plumage.
Giant CowbirdMolothrus oryzivorusThe male giant cowbird is 34 cm (13 in) long, weighs 174–242 g (6.1–8.5 oz) and is iridescent black, with a long tail, long bill, small head, and a neck ruff which is expanded in display.
Screaming CowbirdMolothrus rufoaxillarisThe screaming cowbird has mildly iridescent black plumage; the lesser under-wing coverts are rufous.
Side by side: Brown-headed Cowbird vs Shiny Cowbird · Bronzed Cowbird vs Shiny Cowbird · Giant Cowbird vs Shiny Cowbird · Screaming Cowbird vs Shiny Cowbird
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