Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
The Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) is a common new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 42 countries, weighing about 41 g. The shiny cowbird is a passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae.
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.
How to identify it
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.
What the Shiny Cowbird sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Caribbean Netherlands, Falkland Islands, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Nicaragua.
When to see it
The Shiny Cowbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Shiny Cowbird?
- The physical appearance of the shiny cowbird adult depends on the subspecies. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Shiny Cowbird?
- The Shiny Cowbird is a small sized bird weighing about 41 g.
- Where can you see a Shiny Cowbird?
- The Shiny Cowbird occurs in 42 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador.
- What does a Shiny Cowbird sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Shiny Cowbird on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Shiny Cowbird?
- The Shiny Cowbird is most easily confused with the Bronzed Cowbird, the Giant Cowbird and the Screaming Cowbird.
- Is the Shiny Cowbird endangered?
- The Shiny Cowbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Shiny Cowbird for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.