Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 18

cowbird

A strong-billed bird, native to the Americas; eats seeds and insects; may seek food by using bill to lift stones or cow dung. Few species build nests; most lay eggs in the nests of unrelated birds. (Family: Icteridae, 7 species.)

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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Molothrus
Swainson, 1832
Species
Molothrus rufoaxillaris Molothrus oryzivorus Molothrus aeneus Molothrus bonariensis Molothrus ater

Cowbirds are birds belonging to the genus Molothrus in the family Icteridae.

The genus Molothrus includes:

Screaming Cowbird, Molothrus rufoaxillaris Giant Cowbird, Molothrus [formerly Scaphidura] oryzivorus Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater

It excludes the non-brood parasitic Bay-winged Cowbird Agelaioides [formerly Molothrus] badius.

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