cowbird

[ kou-burd ]

noun

1. any of several New World blackbirds of the genus Molothrus, especially M. ater, of North America, that accompany herds of cattle.

cowbird

/ ˈkaʊˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of various American orioles of the genera Molothrus, Tangavius, etc, esp M. ater (common or brown-headed cowbird). They have a dark plumage and short bill

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowbird¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; cow ¹ + bird

Example Sentences

They withstand enormous loads of the virus without getting sick, passing it on to local species, like blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles, that mix with migrating flocks.

From Salon

At first, I suspected brown-headed cowbirds, famous as they are for raiding nests.

From New York Times

They’re the victims of a “brood parasite” called the cowbird, which adds its own egg to their clutch, tricking another species into raising its offspring.

From Science Magazine

"The best solution is to leave cowbirds eggs alone," Dr. Steve Rothstein, Emeritus Professor of Zoology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, told Audubon.

From Salon

Forest Service, found that populations of red-bellied woodpeckers, brown-headed cowbirds, blue jays and common grackles increased significantly one to three years after cicada emergences and that their populations then dropped back down to normal.

From Scientific American